Our Teachers

Mrs Erica Cataloni - Owner of Inspire Kids

Erica has particular expertise and a strong professional focus in Literacy, Structured Literacy, and Linguistics. She is deeply committed to evidence-based teaching practices and is passionate about equipping students with the strong literacy foundations essential for long-term academic success. A linguist at heart, Erica holds a Bachelor of Arts in Languages and speaks Korean, Japanese, and Spanish. She is a fully registered, NZ-trained secondary school teacher with extensive primary teaching experience, uniquely positioning her to support learners across both primary and secondary settings. At the heart of Erica’s work is a commitment to nurturing confident, resilient learners. She is passionate about helping all students develop grit, independence, and a growth mindset, empowering them to believe in their abilities and reach their full potential.

Mrs Sue Jerg 

Sue is a dedicated educator with 25 years of experience as both a class teacher and teaching principal. She is passionate about supporting every learner to reach their full potential—whether that means offering extra help or providing academic challenges. Sue has worked in schools that serve diverse communities and has led with a strong focus on structured, inclusive learning. Her experience includes ESOL and SENCO roles, and she places high value on building strong relationships with whānau, akonga, and the wider community. At the heart of her teaching is a commitment to creating a space where all learners feel seen, supported, and empowered to grow.  

Ms Sarah Mason 

Sarah is a warm, adaptable, and highly experienced educator who brings both global perspective and local commitment to her teaching. With a career spanning decades and international experience in Kuwait and Japan, she values the richness of diverse communities and is passionate about building strong, positive relationships with students, families, and colleagues. Sarah creates inclusive, nurturing classroom environments where students feel safe, respected, and empowered to take ownership of their learning. She sets high expectations, plans thoughtfully to meet individual needs, and embraces curiosity, challenge, and reflection as key parts of the learning process. With a strong foundation in structured literacy and a professional, team-oriented approach, Sarah is dedicated to helping every child thrive academically and personally.

 

Ms Helen Lares

Helen was born and raised in the UK and emigrated to New Zealand with her family in her early teens. She is a fully registered, New Zealand trained primary school teacher with decades of classroom experience across a wide range of year levels. Her background includes extensive literacy teaching, Reading Recovery, and more recently, one-to-one tutoring. A committed lifelong learner, Helen continually refines her practice through ongoing professional learning. Her international teaching experience in China broadened her cultural understanding and deepened her empathy for learners acquiring a new language. She brings curiosity, care, and sensitivity to everything she teaches.

Ms Jo Seaman

Jo completed her Teaching Diploma when she first moved to New Zealand in 2009. She has experience teaching across all primary year levels and currently teaches at Year 5. Jo believes that strong literacy and numeracy skills are key to every student’s success. She says, “The best part of teaching is witnessing those ‘light-bulb’ moments and knowing a child has just taken a step forward in their learning journey.” Jo enjoys building positive relationships with her students, ensuring they feel safe to take risks, learn from mistakes, and ultimately achieve success in reaching their learning goals. She is very much looking forward to teaching with Inspire Kids in the coming year.

 

Mrs Donna Love 

Donna is a dedicated and experienced primary teacher known for creating engaging, inclusive learning environments where students feel supported, challenged, and empowered to succeed. She places a strong emphasis on student wellbeing and ongoing professional development, and believes every child is a unique individual who thrives in a caring and stimulating environment that encourages both challenge and independence. Donna is passionate about helping learners develop essential skills, form meaningful connections, and grow in confidence as they discover their place in the world, with strong, genuine relationships at the heart of her practice to support both academic success and holistic development.

Our Student Mentors

Miss Natalie Raphael

Natalie recently completed her secondary studies at Pinehurst School under the Cambridge curriculum. As Head Girl in her final year, she was deeply committed to empowering and mentoring others, fostering a supportive and inspiring school environment. With three years of tutoring experience, Natalie has a genuine passion for working with children, helping them build confidence and develop a love for learning. She makes learning fun and personalized, creating a supportive space where students feel confident, motivated, and excited to grow both academically and beyond!