Ginalyn Yumul
Centre Manager
Kia ora,
my name is Ginalyn Yumul but you can call me Gina for short. I am married to a wonderful husband and we have two big grown-up children. My eldest is Yasmin and my youngest is Johnne. I came from the Philippines and moved to New Zealand in 2006. I have been an educator since 2001. I have two Masters in Education (TESOL and English Teaching). In 2010, I completed my early childhood education at Victoria University, Wellington.
During my spare time, I do gardening, tramping, reading books and surfing the net. Teaching is my passion. I found that teaching young children is very fulfilling and rewarding. I believe that they are competent, capable and powerful learners. Teachers should provide children the opportunities to explore and develop their knowledge and skills. I also believe that each child should experience a sense of belonging. Each child should be provided a warm, calm, supportive and stimulating environment to support their learning. The teachers must also have a responsive relationship between and amongst one another, family and whanau. I look forward to getting to know you and your children as we continue our learning journey together at Karori Kids Preschool.
Celedonia Escamis
Maternity Cover Cook/ Reliever
I’m Celedonia Escamis, but you can call me Cel. I am a dedicated and passionate teacher
with a Bachelor of Secondary Education degree, majoring in Mathematics at the National
Teachers College, and experience as a Mathematics teacher for both primary and
intermediate levels in the Philippines. I am committed to creating a positive and engaging
environment that supports the growth and development of young learners. I strive to
inspire learners to reach their full potential and develop lifelong learning.
I am happily married and a proud parent of three children, namely, Fionah, Franz, and
Fredrich. In my free time, I enjoy baking, cooking, and gardening, which allows me to
express creativity and care both at home and beyond.
I am excited to be part of Karori Pre School and look forward to fostering positive
relationships with Tamariki, parents, and staff while contributing to a supportive and
nurturing environment.
Reena Sajwan Gusain
Second-in-charge
Kia ora,
My name is Reena Sajwan Gusain. I was born in India and have been living in New Zealand since May 2011. I am married and blessed with two beautiful boys, Rayansh (Ray) and Priyanash (Anshu).
I have been working in early childhood education for over ten years, and in December 2024 I completed my Bachelor’s degree in ECE. I gained my teacher registration in January 2025, which has been a proud milestone in my teaching journey. I enjoy building warm and trusting relationships with tamariki and their whānau, and I believe every child brings their own strengths and stories into the learning space. I am passionate about creating an environment where children feel valued, confident, and excited to learn.
In my spare time, I enjoy playing badminton, watching movies, and taking long walks, which help me relax and stay active.
Merciana De Guzman
Teacher-in-training
Kamusta,
I am originally from the Philippines and moved to New Zealand in 2009. Since then, I have been an early childhood educator with massive experience in Montessori pedagogy.
Engaging with children every day is my passion. I enjoy forming relationships with tamariki, kaiako, whānau and community.
I love supporting and imparting knowledge with the children to help them build their confidence and learn skills that are important for their learning journey.
I believe children need a sustainable and caring environment with variety of learning opportunities to help them develop holistically.
Shasha Xia
Registered teacher
Kia ora,
I’m Shasha! I completed my Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education at the University of Canterbury in 2024, and I love working with young children. Living, studying, and working in different countries has broadened my perspective and shaped the way I teach. Experiencing different cultures has shown me how important it is to create a space where every tamariki feels a sense of belonging, knows they are valued, and has the freedom to explore and learn in ways that excite them.
As the whakataukī says, "Ko te ahurei o te tamaiti arahia o tātou mahi"—"Let the uniqueness of the child guide our work." I believe that every tamariki is unique, full of potential, and learns best through play. Childhood should be a time of curiosity, discovery, and joy. My goal is to create an environment where tamariki feel safe, supported, and excited to engage with the world around them. Outside of teaching, I enjoy going on nature walks, reading, and always looking for creative ways to enrich children’s learning experiences. I’m looking forward to meeting you and your tamariki and being part of their journey at Karori Kids!
