Our teachers hold Montessori qualifications from: AMI (Association Montessori Internationale), TMI (Toronto Montessori Institute) and CGMS ( The Center for Guided Montessori Studies).
Rose Phillips, Senior Teacher
Rose joined us in 2002. She has TMTTI 6-12 Montessori Teacher training, a Bachelor of Education (Teaching); a Masters in Education (Literacy), both from the University of Auckland. The focus of her Masters research was comparing reading achievement in Montessori and New Zealand state schools. Rose has taught all Montessori age groups and is presently the Senior Teacher of our Montessori school. She is also an Environmental leader in the wider school. Rose is currently a Primary Representative on the MANZ Council.
Tesneem Couper, Teacher, Junior Class 6-9
Tesneem joined us in January 2020. She attended Toronto Montessori Institute (TMI) where she completed her Casa and Elementary training (3-12 years). Tesneem has previously worked at our school for over ten years. Her interests include knitting, baking, visual arts and music.
Dawn Young, Teacher, Junior Class 6-9
Dawn joined us in January 2025. Dawn is a passionate and reflective Montessori teacher with more than 20 years in the educational field. She has experience working in environments with multi-age levels and abilities and has been the sole teacher in a Year 1-6 Montessori classroom. Dawn brings familiarity with structured literacy, has developed effective skills and strategies to aid neurodivergent learners and is keen on constantly upskilling her knowledge of child development and education.”
Annie Aspden, Teacher, Junior Class 6-9
Annie joined us in January 2025. She completed her Bachelor of Education at the University of Auckland and taught at Glendowie School in Years 1 and 4. Annie is returning from maternity leave after the birth of her first child. Annie was born in South Africa and her interests include reading, travel, birdwatching and exploring in nature.
Mary Anne Low, Teacher, Montessori Release Teacher
Mary Anne joined us in 2024 as a Teacher Assistant. Mary Anne has completed her Montessori Pre School 3-6 Diploma. Mary Anne has started her journey to complete the AMI 6-12 Montessori Diploma. Mary Anne completed her Bachelor of Education in Teaching in New Zealand.
Hugh Markham, Teacher, Senior Class 9-12
Hugh joined us in January 2020. He has completed his Post-Graduate Teaching Diploma at the University of Auckland and has a prior background in sport, administration and event management. Hugh recently completed his 6-12 Montessori training from CGMS. His youngest child is currently enrolled in our Montessori class and his eldest children now attend college after completing Year 8 in our Senior Class. His interests include sport, fitness, cooking and travel.
Jeremy Shroff, Teacher, Senior Class 9-12
I have been part of the Glendowie community for a long time, even attending Glendowie School! My whānau has been in Aotearoa for six generations, and I am helping to raise three children, with my wife Tokuko. I initially completed a Bachelor of Science in Zoology at the University of Auckland, however after travelling around the globe, I recognised the call to teaching and I finished my Post-graduate Diploma in Teaching. I have been teaching for 25 years and completed my Post-graduate Diploma in Counselling Theory in 2023
From a philosophical and teaching perspective, I believe in building positive relationships with people. This involves acknowledging that individuals have a unique set of stories that shape their lives, while also recognising the things about being human that bind us together and the sense of community that comes with that.
I like to stay fit and enjoy running, the gym and racket sports. Tramping and the outdoors are other pursuits of mine, and I greatly value their ability to support hauora. My lifelong passion is Roleplaying Games, and I strongly believe in their ability to bring people together and foster well-being and a sense of identity.