Aiga Salevalasi Aoga Amata
Meet Our Team
Our team of dedicated Samoan Early Childhood Teachers and Management ensure your child has the best Preschool learning environment. Beginning from their first learning experiences to their proud graduation amongst people they have come to love as family.
Naseri Sao Tolai
Centre Manager
My name is Naseri Tolai and I am the Centre Manager here at Aiga Salevalasi Aoga Amata. I am a New Zealand born Samoan, born and raised in West Auckland. I currently hold a Bachelor's degree in Human Services majoring in youth work.
My passion in working with children has inspired me to do further research on child development. I am hoping to pursue a career in teaching in the near future.
Faanimo Lupematasila Roma
Registered/Qualified Educator
Under 2s Team Leader
My name is Faanimo but you can call me Nimo. I am happily married with a beautiful daughter and another baby girl on the way. I am a registered/qualified ECE teacher, gained my Bachelor of Early Childhood Education at Unitec. I have been working in the early childhood sector for 7 years now. Throughout those 7 years 3 have been in mainstream and Reggio in Emilia centers. Now my first Aoga language nest is here with Aiga Salevalasi where I look forward to learning/gaining more knowledge about the faasamoa side of teaching for our tamaiti.
As a kaiako, I believe that I am responsible for helping children learn and grow individually. I also believe in instilling a sense of belonging and a feel of home where we strive to provide a fun and interactive learning environment, so that all cultures are to be valued and accepted. I believe all children have the right to access Te Reo Maori as this gives children the opportunity to learn more about one of the official languages of Aotearoa and make connections to Papatuanuku. I acknowledge children are capable, strong individuals who have their own unique way of learning and being expressive.
Building whanaungatanga with our aiga supports our children’s learning; therefore if you have any questions or would love to discuss more about your child’s learning and development don't be afraid to approach me.Fa’afetai lava
Niu Cathy Tolai
Registered/Qualified Educator
Top 3s Team Leader
Talofa lava, malo le soifua
My name is Niu-Cathy Tolai. I am a Qualified/Registered Teacher here at Aiga Salevalasi Aoga Amata. I hail from the villages of Vavau Lotofaga, Vaiusu-uta, Faleasiu, Vailoa Aleipata, Manono and Saleimoa.I have been working in the Education sector for 20 plus years and enjoying every moment of it. I started working at Aiga Salevalasi in 1996 and I've never looked back. I graduated from Te Rito Maioha: Early Childhood Education with a Bachelor's degree.
I have great passion in working with children, nurturing them and offering so many great learning experiences for our tamariki. Working with children have numerous advantages. It's an opportunity to watch them grow and develop into confident and independent learners.
“Teaching children to count is fine, but teaching them what counts is best” – Bob Talbert
Alofa Tina Sivao
Qualified Registered Teacher
Centre Supervisor / Rising 5s Team Leader
Malo lava le soifua maua, my name is Alofa Tina Sivao. I'm a New Zealand born Samoan and the youngest of five children. Happily married since 2013 and have been involved in the Early Childhood sector for just over 20 years now. I graduated from Te Rito Maioha NZCA with a Teaching Diploma and Bachelor's degree in ECE.
Teaching or working with children is an innate passion which I believe is inherited from my parents who had established our Aoga 35 years ago. I am grateful to our Heavenly Father for his blessings and never forsaking us in times of struggle. My prayers and ultimate learning outcomes for our children are developing Christian and cultural values such as love, humility, respect, generosity and perseverance.
My interests include music, siva samoa, fellowship and relaxing with family. I love creating warm and authentic relationships with children and their families which I believe is one of the foundations of quality education.
As the team leader for Rising 5s, I intend to implement learning experiences that are challenging, meaningful, purposeful, open-ended and engaging for children; especially as they prepare for Primary. Saying farewell to our graduates is one of the hardest things I have to do, it is like losing a family member. Nevertheless, it warms my heart when I see that they are ready to "leave the nest" and become leaders in their community.
Faafetai lava and God Bless
Senetenari Semisi
Teacher-Aide
I am a Tacher-Aide here at Aiga Salevalasi Aoga Amata. I have been with Salevalasi for over 3 years and enjoying every moment of it. I currently hold a Level 4 in Early childhood Education and hope to pursue my Early Childhood Education degree starting next year.
I have great passion working with children. I love communicating and engaging with kids in regards to their learning and development.
Tafola Ropati Sivao
Maintenance & Management
Talofa lava, o lo'u igoa o Ropati Sivao. O loo o'u galue nei mo le faamamaina ma le vaaiga o le saogalemu o le Aoga, ina ia malu puipuia le ola o alo ma fanau. Sa ou ola ma ou tuputupu a'e i Samoa, ae o le tausaga e 2007 na ou malaga mai ai i nei ma avea ai Niu Sila ma o'u nofoaga mau. O le tausaga e 2013 na amata ai ona ou galue i le Aiga Salevalasi, ma o se tulaga fiafia tele lea ia te a'u ona ua le gata i le mafutaga ma tamaiti, a'o le a'oa'oina lea o le fanau i tu ma aga faasamoa.
Faamoemoe pea i le Agaga o le Atua na te faaatoatoaina se taumafai vaivai, aua le lumana'i manuia o alo ma fanau o si o tatou atunuu.
Faafetai.
I pray that my contribution to the Samoan language & cultural aspect of the Curriculum will have an exciting and positive influence on the children's early learning experience at Aoga Amata.
