People - The Learning Shop Staff

Val was born in Napier and grew up in Wellington and Nelson. She attended Wellington East Girls’ College and went on to Wellington Teachers’ College to train as a primary school teacher. She studied at Victoria University of Wellington and Massey University and graduated with a BA, a Diploma in Teaching English as a Second Language and a Masters degree in Educational Administration.

After teaching in Britain for two years, Val returned to New Zealand and has taught in the Porirua area since 1967. She taught at Maraeroa and Waitangirua Intermediate schools and was a foundation member of the staff of Whitireia Community Polytechnic where she worked for 20 years, most of them as Director of Faculties.  She is now managing the Learning Shop in the Porirua Town Centre and enjoying contact with the clients who come in to the shop.

Her interests are mainly in Maori music including kapa haka and in sports. She is a life member of the Maraeroa Marae Association.

Justin was raised in Marton and is English on his father's side who is from Hastings, Sussex in England. On his mothers sides he is related through the Meha whanau of Ngati Kahungunu and Rangitane iwi, and the Bidois whanau of Ngai Te Rangi, Ngati Ranginui, Ngati Pukenga iwi and Pirirakau hapu.

Justin has lived in Wellington for the past 8 years and has two daughters, one in college and another at intermediate. He's had many jobs in his time after leaving school in 88, from being a qualified butcher, hammer hand, truck driver, scaffolder, store person through to an IT consultant. As he looked at what it was he wanted to do for a career he found he wanted to help people with career choices. Justin returned to study and completed a Diploma in Counselling Applied Careers at Weltec and has been working at the Learning Shop since the start of 2005.

He sees his role as first and foremost being there to listen, and help people like you, from ages of 8 to 108 learn more about yourself, find out what you want to do, then look at how you can achieve it.

"If you think education is expensive then try ignorance".

Jane has lived and worked in Wellington for all her life. She has been involved in youth work for the last three years.

After leaving school, Jane studied a Bachelor of Arts at Victoria University. Unsure of what to do after graduation she worked full time for a year in retail, whilst deciding what to do next. In 2004 Jane completed a Diploma in Social Work and the following year worked as a social worker for Child Youth and Family Services in Porirua. Jane started working at The Learning Shop in March 2006.

Jane sees her role as being able to effect change in people's lives through supporting and assisting them in making decisions and planning for the future.

"With every opportunity that is missed, another one is born."

Teresa has been in the Porirua area for almost 30 years now. She has children in College and at Primary school and can "totally relate" to the difficulties parents have trying to keep their kids at school.

Teresa's work background has been in computers. When she left school, she was lucky enough to get a job where computers were not introduced into the workplace until just after she started. She gained valuable computer experience she might not otherwise have had access to. What brought Teresa to this job was "what we do here". The service we provide can be pivotal in a person's life.

Teresa sees her role as a support role. Providing support to the customers as well as providing support to the team. Her objective is that customers leave here pleased that they came in and feeling like they accomplished something.

"Knowledge IS power."

Kathleen is of Maori and Samoan descent and has lived and worked in the Porirua community for most of her life.

She became one of The Learning Shop staff in 2004 after graduating in Information & Communications Technology at Whitireia Community Polytechnic and is still currently studying extramurally.

Kathleen is delighted to be in a position that would allow her to support and guide people from the community on their pathways to education and careers and helping people achieve their goals.

"Don't limit yourself! Keep learning."