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A Word from and about the Teachers:

Hi, my name is Jo Rattigan. I have been living in Hong Kong for 12 years and have two children ages 5 and 6. I have taught children aged 4 to 10 in schools around Hong Kong. I also tutor children as an accredited Jolly Phonics and Jolly Grammar teacher, making learning to read fun and accessible to young children. At pre-school age I believe the emphasis should always be on learning through play and social interaction with other children, something that is easy to do within the Midget Gems environment. I look forward to meeting your children at Midget Gems! .

My name is Kate Branch. I have been in Hong Kong for just over 2 years and have 3 children aged 5, 3 and 7 months old. I am a qualified early childhood teacher from Australia with 20 years experience teaching in and managing childcare centres with children aged 0-6 years. At Midget Gems I aim to help your children increase their self-esteem and independance while learning through their play with an emphasis on fun.

My name is Sarah Bailey and I am 39 years old. My husband and I have lived in Hong Kong since 1999. We now have two children who were both born here in Hong Kong. Since being here I have worked in various playgroups in Discovery Bay, my last job being at Early Adventurers Playgroup with Sarah Overington where I worked for 3 years. I have also tutored at English Centres and worked for a Chinese Kindergarten. I really enjoy working with young children and seeing them develop and grow while having loads of fun.

I look forward to meeting you and your children.

My name is Sally Manautines, mother of two: Mathilda-Li, recently born in Hong Kong and Ethan born in Austria, just one of the various countries we have lived along the way! I have a degree in languages with a TEFL certificate, and I am currently completing an International Montessori teaching certificate. I helped run an English-speaking toddler group in Paris before moving to Hong Kong in 2007, and since then have worked as a relief teacher and as the Midget Gems Easter program coordinator. My classes are full of fun and games, aimed to boost kid's self-confidence and creativity, in a bright and cheery environment!

Hola! my name is Paula Praes Gonzales and I have been living in Hong Kong for the past 3 years together with my husband and 12 month old baby. I have always liked children a lot and in Spain I have experience working in Summer Camps and organizing school activities for 2 to 6 year olds. I have taught Spanish in academies and playgroups to children from 18 months to 14 years of age.

I believe that children learn a lot more in an informal environment when they feel comforable and relaxed. I like to adapt my classes to the likes and interests of the children who I am teaching. I try to teach children the same way as I teach my own and welcome you to Midget Gems.

 

My name is Carol Lin . A native of Taiwan and 5 year resident of Hong Kong. I am fortunate to now live in Discovery Bay with my Kiwi husband and two gorgeous (and very energetic) kids Peter (3.5) and Emma (1.5). After many years working in regional English language-learning clubs associated with Disney, a career change saw me running research centres, building call centres, before returning to my true love of teaching Mandarin to adults and children

I love seeing kids strive in playgroups that bring out the richness of the language through play and engaging activities. Kids leave my session not realising how much they have learnt, as they've had far too much fun. Don't expect a quiet controlled classroom environment, as our sessions will be packed with energy and fun.

Mein Name ist Heike Penczek. Seit August 2007 lebe ich gluecklich mit meiner Familie in Discovery Bay, weil mein Mann eine neue Aufgabe in Hong Kong uebernommen hat. Vorher habe ich in Deutschland gelebt und als Eventmanagerin gearbeitet. Bevor ich selbst Mutter wurde, war es fuer mich eine Bereicherung die Kinder aus meiner Familie und aus dem Freundeskreis zu betreuen. Waehrend der Kindergarten- und Schulzeit meiner Tochter Louise, jetzt 15 Jahre alt, habe ich gerne bei Aktivitaeten und Klassenfahrten mitgeholfen. Nun freue ich mich sehr darauf, im Midget Gems Kid's Club Ihren Kindern in einer schoenen Atmosphaere spielerisch die deutsche Sprache naeher zu bringen.

Hi everyone, my name is Abbie Tsang. I was born in Hong Kong and have been living here for 26 years. I am currently working in the primary part of Discovery College. Before that I have been working with children for 3 years which I find very enjoyable and fruitful. I love to see the smiles and listen to the laughter from the kids. I believe that psychological development is always very important for the kids to grow healthily. I also believe that having structured fun games and activities in a group helps the children to be more curious and makes them more motivated to learn and become more sociable, caring and confident. I am really excited to start working at Midget Gems.

 

We are looking forward to sharing the fun with everyone at Midget Gems Kid's Club.

See you there!