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.
Zhonggen Li (Regan)
Registered Teacher
Kia ora!
My name is Zhonggen Li (Regan). I completed my graduate diploma in Early Childhood Education in 2022 at University of Canterbury. I also have a Bachelor degree in accounting at Victoria University of Wellington. I always believe that tamariki have infinite potential, and I enjoy conveying mana and kindness between children. I will be willing to accept new challenges, contact different pedagogy and philosophy, help each child reach their highest potential based on their unique characteristics.
Reena Sajwan Gusain
Registered Teacher
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 as an unqualified kaiako since 2025 and began my degree in 2022. I am a passionate and dedicated kaiako, deeply committed to building strong, trusting relationships with tamariki and their whanau. I believe every child is unique, and it is my responsibility as a kaiako to create a nurturing environment that is safe, loving, caring, and inviting for all. 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!
Sanja Mandinic
Registered Teacher
Kia ora e te Whānau! Pozdrav svima…
My name is Sanja Mandinic. Aotearoa, New Zealand has been my home for the last 23 years. I settled here with my family, from Europe, where I grew up, in Belgrade. My son was born in Wellington.
My family loves to go for long hikes through the bushes and climb the mountains, as well as swim in the sea. We've got many plants and fish at our home.
As an educator in Te Papa, I discovered a passion for teaching young children and completed a Postgraduate Course in Teaching at Victoria University.
Working with and supporting young children on their learning journey is a privilege. It is a joy to see them grow, with us encouraging them every step of the way.
My passion lies in providing meaningful opportunities for tamariki to explore and give things a go, while having fun and learn new skills. When children are able to follow their own interests, they build confidence and independence.
I nurture positive and respectful relationships with whānau, their culture and language as that helps us deepen our connection with our tamariki and develop better understanding of their needs.
As a teacher, I had the pleasure to work with preschool and junior children, that had equipped me with understanding of Te Whariki and the New Zealand Curriculum, especially when it comes to developing early communicative and motor skills.
But, enough about me, I truly look forward to meeting you all! Please come and say hi…