Ellie Chung
Centre Director
Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching)
Teacher Registration: Full #263507
Who am I? I’m a proud Iranian woman, born and raised in Shiraz, the city of poetry and love. I’m a mum, a wife, a daughter, a sister, an aunty, a colleague, and a friend. I moved to New Zealand with my family when I was 14 and had to learn the language and adapt to a new culture. I speak both Farsi and English.
The Story Behind My Name: My Persian name, Elham, means "inspiration" or "revelation". I was named by my aunty, to whom I am very close. The name represents the connection we share and carries the meaning of being a source of inspiration and enlightenment in life.
Some Of My Core Values and Cultural Practices: Growing up in the Middle East has taught me the values of family, community, and the importance of respectful practice through love, nurture, trust, kindness, empathy, communication, and collaboration. These values are central to who I am and shape the way I interact with others. In Iranian culture, family is the heart of everything, and we place great importance on togetherness, hospitality, generosity, and respect. We value connection and kindness and celebrate both ordinary and special occasions with joy, and poetry and music are deeply embedded in our lives. I also carry with me the sense of community and the belief in working together to achieve a common goal.
What Does Cultural Identity Mean to Me in My Work with Children and Families: I believe in fostering relationships where families can share their traditions, and children are encouraged to explore and celebrate their own identity and heritage.
My Teaching Experiences & Philosophy: I have been involved in early childhood education since 2000, and my philosophy is centred around providing a safe, caring, peaceful, authentic, and beautiful environment where children can engage in play and learn through their own free will. I believe respectful and loving relationships are the foundation to everything, and I feel privileged to be part of the lives of the children at Aro Arataki.
My Favourite Children’s Book: Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
My Personal Details: I’m married to my wonderful husband, who is Fijian Chinese, and we have three children: Kian, Seona, and Reza. We love traveling, and spending time with our family and friends.
