Ngaio Teacher Profiles

SHANE DAWSON

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Shane Dawson and I have been teaching at West Melton School for nearly 7 years. I graduated from the Christchurch College of Education (now University of Canterbury) in 2007 and have been at West Melton since July 2008.

I have been lucky enough to teach in all three teams and are currently in my 4th year of yr 3 & 4 children. I live in Rolleston with my partner Andrea and three step-children, Harry is 15 (talking about drivers license), Ben is 12 (a sports nut) and Becca is 11 (going on 16!!!). I also have a half human dog and cat.

When not teaching I love to go fishing (rather unsuccessfully in recent times), play golf and read. For 20 long, long years I have been a Warriors supporter (sucker for punishment I know.....but this year). I am really looking forward to this year working with Liz in a Modern Learning Environment classroom and seeing the growth in the children.


LIZ COSTER
Hi there - My name is Liz Coster and I am very excited to be joining the Pukeko team in the Ngaio Community with Shane Dawson. Previously I spent two years teaching in the Moa team and had the wonderful opportunity of working in the modern learning community of LC 17. Before coming to West Melton I taught at St Mark's School in Opawa in both the junior and senior areas of the school. I have also taught in Ashburton and North Canterbury.

My background before teaching was in community recreation working for the YMCA with children's programmes and as a youth worker for Safer Community Council. I completed a Parks and Recreation degree at Lincoln University before training as a teacher. Last year I gradated from Canterbury University with a Master of Teaching and Learning. My focus was on gifted education, emotional intelligence and Environmental Education.

I have spent the last two years living in the West Melton community but have recently moved back to Christchurch where my husband and I live between our home there and in Pigeon Bay on the peninsula.