My name is Karen Shaw. My grandfather is originally from the Netherlands. I am fluent in Afrikaans and English. I grew up in an Afrikaans household and only started learning to speak English when I started my first teaching job at an English school.  I have been teaching for 30 years. 

I love teaching and believe that children that are happy at school learn best. I have been teaching in New Zealand for five years.  I moved to this beautiful country in 2020. We lived in Johannesburg, South Africa. My dad and brother still live there. 

My husband, Gary, and I are the proud parents of our three children: Matthew, Keegan and Caitlin. My boys are currently studying while Caitlin is in college. I love German Shepherds and generally just love animals. 

In South Africa we often went to the Kruger Park game reserve and did not realise how fortunate we were to see elephant herds just casually stroll past us. I am so lucky to have these memories that I can treasure forever.

Kia ora koutou i te whānau,

Ko Emma Hansen toku ingoa.

I teach in the Senior Team and am also our school’s Inclusive Education Lead, formally known as SENCO. 

Diagnosed with dyslexia at 7, I understand the struggles some students have as I 'walk their path' and always strive to put the learner first in all aspects of their development and life.  This flows into my passion for trauma informed practice and pastoral care. 

I have a son called Ryan and we are lucky enough to live at Waitarere Beach with our two beautiful dogs.

He aha mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. 

Tena koutou katoa 

Ko Hamoa te whakapaparanga mai engari 

Ko Ōtara te whenuatupu 

Ko Taitoko te kāinga 

Nō Tamaki Makaurau 

He kaiako au i Taitoko ki te tokerau 

Ko Livi Samuelu au 

Tena tātou katoa

Malo le soifua maua ma le lagi e mamā, my name is Livi Samuelu. I am a Aoteroa born Samoan. I was born in Tamaki Makaurau and grew up in South Auckland. I have been teaching now for 10 years. 5 years ago my family and I moved to Taitoko Levin and we have called it home ever since. I am passionate about children and young people. My philosophy has always been around building positive relationships with children and whānau, learning cannot take place without it. 

Fa'afetai Lava

Merle Adams

Middle School Teacher

Guten Morgen, Kia Ora, Welcome!

I am the teacher in room 12.

As you may recognise from my accent, I grew up in Germany and have lived in New Zealand for over 21 years.

I love music, languages and art as well as books and stories!

Isn't there so much to be excited about!  I enjoy all the little and big things that life has to offer and am looking forward to sharing this with the tamariki in my class .

I am now in my second year at Levin North School, so please don't be shy!  Come and see me before or after school and say hello!

Ko Mrs O (Jen) tāku ingoa. I have lived locally for the past 28 years after moving from the Hutt Valley, with my husband and 3 children. I have 2 beautiful grand-daughters and love spending time with my family and extended whānau. 

I have been involved in Education for just over 20 years and love being a new entrants teacher. My interests include travelling, gardening, baking and supporting inline hockey teams. 

Ngā mihi, Whaea Jen.

Kia ora,

My name is Sarah Jane Samuelu. I am a mum of three crazy boys, Freddie, Harrison and Keanu.

My whanau and I moved to the Horowhenua from Auckland 4 years ago and haven't looked back, we love raising our children here and enjoy the freedom it gives us.

I finished my teacher training in 2009 but took a few years off to raise my boys before beginning my career in 2015.

Both myself and my husband are teachers.  I am passionate about teaching in the junior school and love watching our tamariki grow through their first few years of school. 

Hi, I am Mary Francis, I live in Paraparaumu beach with my partner. I am Mum to 3 children and Nana to 6 mokos. I came to teaching later in life after having a few other successful careers.

I am committed to ensuring all tamariki in my class have a sense of belonging in an inspiring, encouraging environment. I have a great understanding that some tamariki have difficulties with social interactions, managing their emotions, trust and attachment which makes forming relationships difficult. 

I am committed to our tamariki, their learning, their wellbeing, and to our kura. 

When not in the classroom, I enjoy getting away in our motorhome and finding new trails to ride.

Kia ora koutou/ Goedendag, my name is Andrew de Wit. 

I am married to Lorraine and have two adult children and one border collie dog - Marley. We are both originally from Upper Hutt where I worked as an Electrician before getting my Teaching Degree. We moved up to Levin two years ago to enjoy the space and climate and are loving exploring and finding all the great things and people up here. 

I have taught at a variety schools and varying roles and have a strong interest in IT/ STEAM, Environmental Education and Maths. Out of school, I’m slowly trying to learn Dutch (my parent’s language), enjoy spending time with family (although my eldest recently married an Australian and is living there!), gardening, walking Marley and trying to see as much as possible of this beautiful country. 

This year at North, you will see me teaching both senior and junior students.

Noho ora mai