Our People

Gillian de Rose, Centre Manager

Kia ora – I have been teaching in early childhood education for over 20 years.  I have recently  returned to Palmerston North from Wellington to spend time with my family.  I gained by Diploma of Teaching (ECE) with Te Rito Maioha and  my Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) with Canterbury University in 2009.

I love being part of the Active Explorers Victoria Avenue community and working alongside the children and families who attend our centre. 

Erica Johnson, Head Teacher – Nga Kakano o Tane

Kia Ora e te Whānau my name is Erica and I am the Head Teacher of the Under 2s at Active Explorers Victoria Avenue. I have been working in Early Childhood since 2017 and gained my Bachelor of Teaching ECE in 2020.  Early 2021 I made the move to the under 2s after spending most of my teaching journey with children over 2.  I love baking, making and music and most importantly building strong relationships with whanau and the tamariki we have the pleasure of working alongside. We strive to provide families and whānau with a safe, caring (and exciting) environment for their children to learn and grow.

Shining Zuo, Head Teacher – Koru Lounge

Kia Ora, Ni hao I'm Shining. I have worked in ECE for over 8 years while holding my Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood most of these years being with Active Explorers. I was born in China and have been in NZ for 18 years.  I enjoy spending time with children, their whānau and all staff. I believe that relationships help us work collaboratively to deliver a high standard of education for our tamariki. My why for teaching is discovering each child's potential and personality. I love to create opportunities to bring out this potential and for them to use their whole being to achieve their goals.