Educator profiles

Lynn Klapporth

It is really difficult to believe that I have had the privilege of working for the Auckland Central Life Education Trust for two years. The adage that "Time flies when you are having fun" is certainly true when it comes to being involved with Harold!

I must admit that the second year has been much easier than my first with regards to visiting many different schools as it is always more comfortable to return to familiar surroundings. I have met the most amazing people on my journey. I continue to be inspired by the wonderful children who visit the mobile capsule and have some precious memories of special moments with the incredible children in Central Auckland. There have been some heartbreaking moments too but it has been rewarding to be a catalyst in assisting children, teachers and families to make changes in young lives. I am also far more relaxed when I have technological challenges in the mobile capsule and seldom make the frantic phone calls to anyone who will listen, as I did when I was in my first year with Life Education.

New challenges, however, are what keep us on our toes. This year we have had quite a few schools rethink their inclusion of Life Education in their school programmes. This has resulted in rearranging our schedule for 2011. We are hoping to get some new schools on board, see biennial schools take advantage of the opportunity to have annual visits and have more Early Childhood Centres visit the mobile capsule. In 2010 we had children from Lollipops Educare in Greenland visit us. Negotiations are going well for the future and we should see numbers pick up over the next two years.

Through contact with other educators at the national Conference, seminars, teaching observations and social events, I have experienced enormous personal and professional growth. It is always valuable to share ideas with others and as we work in isolation, the times we are able to get together are highly valued. Through these contact times and professional readings, I have gained the confidence to adapt modules more effectively to meet the specific needs of individual schools.

It was exciting to be able to support our sponsors - Rotary - at the Seafood Festival, Top Schools and Circus Quirkus. Harold's Big Day Out and the Ellerslie Santa Parade were also great opportunities for us to really interact with our community.

Once again I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the many people who make it possible for me to do a job I love. To my colleagues Pip and Cindy, thank you so much for your love and support. To our drivers and transport co-ordinators, Richard, Rene, Eru, Robin and Dave, many thanks for always being there for us and getting us where we needed to be! To our incredible sponsors - we really appreciate all that you do and know we would not exist without you. To the Auckland Central Board of Trustees - words are not enough to express my deep gratitude for your dedication to Harold and the children of Central Auckland. I have the greatest respect and admiration for all of you and most especially for the "Captain" of our ship, Lance. To my amazing husband, Ivar, thank you for loving Harold as much as I do and always being willing to help maintain the mobile capsule.

Last, but by no means least, I would like to thank the amazing children of Auckland for their enthusiasm and love for Harold. I am so looking forward to another wonderful year in the mobile capsule.

Claire Bentley

Claire comes from an extensive background including Medical Science, Teaching, and the Health and Fitness industry which has been a huge benefit to joining Life Education.

Her Medical Science career began at Auckland Hospital as a Microbiologist and later as a Cytogeneticist. She also pursued a Personal Trainer career in which the love of helping people ultimately led Claire to a teaching career. She has taught in a variety of schools as well as different age levels.

Human Biology and Health are areas that Claire is very passionate about and committed to, especially when it comes to helping improve children's health.

According to Claire, working for Life Education is one of the best jobs in the WORLD! She is lucky enough to be able to share what she loves to do with lots of students each week. To be able to reach out and positively touch so many children gives Claire the drive to get up and help motivate students to lead a healthy lifestyle including the awareness of the body and how drugs can affect it.