Linda Hodgkinson

Teacher, The Hive (Kōwhai)

Bachelors Degree in Early Years Education, Level 6 Supervision in Childcare with Special Needs & Level 5 Special Needs Training.

Linda was born and raised in Cork, Ireland into a large family with 7 children. She spent the first 5 years of her life in England, then moving to Ireland where she started school and picked up her very strong accent. Having a big family and older siblings meant she had lots of nieces and nephews when growing up. She has always admired the spirit that children bring to everything they do. The wonder that they find with an empty box, the endless possibilities of a stick, the awe of new discoveries and especially the sound of laughter as they play. It is these moments that inspired her to teach.

Linda holds a degree in Early Years Education and certificates and diplomas in Childcare and Special needs training. She worked for ten years in an array of different settings in Ireland before moving to New Zealand. She originally came out for a month’s holiday and loved it so much she stayed. Five years on she found her way to Gems Kōwhai.

“Slan go foil” (Bye for now in Irish).