Gizelle has been working in Education and care for over 15 years in WA, ACT and NSW. She is a qualified Early childhood teacher with teaching and management experience in Primary schools, Long Day Care services and Out of School Hours Care. She is also a licensed Zumba instructor and dance teacher with a great passion for movement and and physical expression.
Gizelle believes when we work collaboratively we build a community of creative thinkers, active researches, determined listeners and motivated participants who can construct, develop and repair theories, and resource learning to support a sustainable future. Gizelle treasures the pedagogy of listening and strives to be a voice advocating for children’s expression of thoughts and ideas in respectful and inclusive ways.

Gizelle looks forward to working with the educators, families, children of Nature's Atelier as well as the wider community to lead the way in nature immersed education and care services for all people.

HI, my name is Helen Bowra, I am married with 4 adult children. I was born is Margaret River and lived on a farm in Karridale. We moved to Perth when I was a young child but continued visiting and holidaying in the Southwest. I have worked in Childcare and Education for over 30 years and was a Docent at Perth Zoo for over 11 years. My husband and I moved back to the Southwest and built a new home 10 years ago.My hobbies include reading and learning, getting out and about in nature, gardening, keeping fit, tennis, riding my bike and helping with my grandchildren. As to my approach with working with children I have always loved to encourage and inspire people to be all that they can be in this life. I am blessed to work with children where I see such amazing little humans who can dream big dreams and love and express the joys and love in life. All children need to know they are safe and loved and should be respected for who they are as an individual so they can blossom into a healthy

Growing up with my Nan I’ve taking care of the all the grandchildren from young to old, I’ve done workplacement for 2 years in a preprimary and year 1 class, and spend a year helping people with disabilities play netball iv got my cert II in sports coaching where I spent weeks coaching the children which I loved, starting with them showing them how to do simple moves and skills to playing competitive games and working on there FMS.
The children loved the activities and fun we had I loved watching there minds grow with enthusiasm And passion towards something they spent a while learning.
I love watching children learn and discover, the joy it brings to them is a smile that feels others with joy as well. It’s such a precious thing where something small now can become a huge passion later.

I have a background that is varied and diverse. I have a passion for sustainable living and the magic that happens when people immerse themselves in the big wide world. I have a sense of adventure that has brought me a wealth of life experiences and skills to share.

I believe that kids need play. I know a lot of them don't get enough of it. I believe that kids that are given a sense of purpose, treated with respect and given the freedom to create and be themselves, will be little legends. I believe that little legends, who have a healthy relationship with their community and the planet, is what the world could do with a bit more of.

I look forward to hanging out with a bunch of little legends at Nature’s Atelier and helping them in the right direction for their own adventure in the big wide world.

My teaching philosophy is based on facilitating positive, meaningful relationships. Trust is key to the child / teacher relationship and my commitment as a teacher is to be truly present, with a caring attitude, offering healthy and safe choices wherever possible. I agree that it takes a village to raise a child therefore I intend to develop strong relationships with parents based on continuity and open communication. By contributing to community, partnering with Indigenous and local groups I wish to model creativity and custodianship so children develop an affinity with the earth and in turn become the future caretakers. In guiding children, whether my own or others, I aim to inspire wonder in the world, in themselves and others.
I resonate with the circle of security and circle of courage models which suggest integration of a child’s physical, mental, emotional, energetic and spiritual needs. This balanced view stems from my decade of experience as a yoga teacher, avid surfer and former career as a landscape architect. By creating a safe environment where mistakes are welcomed allows students (and teachers) to learn and reflect upon their mistakes and make positive choices for themselves. The nature pedagogy offered at Nature’s Atelier sits well with my view that learning should be real, holistic and age appropriate.
My time at Nature’s Atelier has been inspiring and rewarding. With a rich environment, caring staff and creative curriculum, children are happy and learning life skills. I have witnessed children form new friendships, work together on real projects, care for each other and their surroundings, make good choices and negotiate challenges with courage.
I look forward to learning with the children.

I have worked with Children for 11 years in various mentoring roles, from Long day care services to Primary school environments and Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory. I love engaging and spending my time with such unique, hilarious, and quirky little souls - Although I may have a few extra grey hairs 😉

I believe children learn as they play, but most importantly in play children learn how to learn, The Early years of a child's life are busy and learning is happening all the time, As a mentor providing choices and opportunities for children to discover, explore, create and imagine while having fun in a safe and nurturing environment is what I believe its all about.