Our teachers

   Education:
   Jambul Teachers' College, Early Childhood Education.
   Taraz State University, Early Childhood Education.
   University of Canterbury, College of Education, Early Childhood.

   I work with 3 to 7-years-old children in the Russian Cultural Centre of Christchurch. My aspiration is to preserve and develop the children's knowledge of the Russian language. I believe, that it is impossible to sustain the culture without the knowledge of the language, that is why we do our best to develop the children's abilities in the Russian language. We play, sing songs, dance, listen to the music, draw, model in clay, celebrate different holidays, read and stage the fairy-tales.

   I believe you will agree, that childhood is the time to lay the foundation stones. That is why we work in cooperation with the parents and pay much attention to their opinions and children's needs.

“... I believe, that it is impossible to sustain the culture without the knowledge of the language...”

   Education:
   Aleksandra graduated with Bachelor of Arts from Far Eastern State Technical University in Russia. She also completed her Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Early Childhood) in University of Canterbury.

   Professional values:
   My philosophical approach to teaching and learning for young children is grounded in the idea that all children are talented unique individuals. It is with this belief I feel that my sacred responsibility as a teacher is to recognise, develop and nurture children's talents and strengths as well as to be sensitive to each child's individual needs. I believe that every little person deserves safe, nurturing and a warmly supportive environment that enables him/her to be creative, encourages new ideas and problem solving. I thoroughly support the concept of environment that is exciting, creative and challenging at the same time, the environment which celebrates uniqueness and gives children enormous opportunities to develop their talents.

   Since my own philosophy has been shaped by Vygotskian approach, I believe that children's learning is situated in the social and cultural contexts in which they live. Furthermore, a lot of early learning takes place in the context of the home. In order to recognise and build on such learning, I believe, strong, professional relationships with families are essential. Thus, recognising parents as equal partners in their children's learning and as experts on their children is a very important objective in my view as a teacher.

“... My philosophical approach to teaching and learning for young children is grounded in the idea that all children are talented unique individuals...”

   Education:
   Saratov State University, the Department of Psychology.
   Master of Science in Organizational and Industrial psychology, University of Canterbury.

   My pedagogical experience includes working as a psychologist and teaching a specialized self-developed course “Introduction to Psychology” in the Gymnasium for gifted children (Saratov, Russia).
   In 2000 I won the competition “The best teacher of the year” in Saratov.

   I believe that all the children are naturally born talented, that is why, being a teacher, my mission is to help every child I work with to develop their capabilities.
   It is very important, that the Russian school does a lot for our children to help them maintain their mother tongue. The Russian language, being so versatile and rich, develops every child's intellectual horizons and sensitivity. Psychologists have proved, that multilingual children are more creative and have better memory.

   Let us help our children to develop their capabilities, talents and intellect!

“... I believe that all the children are naturally born talented...”