Meet Our Teachers
We are a passionate and stable team of teachers, dedicated to knowing and nurturing each child, and providing emotional security for all our children.
Dunja Shiri (she/her)
Principal
Bachelor in Early Childhood
I whānau mai ahau ki Amsterdam, no Hōrana ahau.
I was born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. At the age of 25, I moved to Israel, where I got married and raised my three children. A few years ago, my family and I decided to make a big move and settle in Aotearoa New Zealand. We were looking for a new adventure, a different way of life, and the opportunity to experience all that this beautiful country has to offer.
I have always had a deep love for working with children. Throughout my career, I have worked in primary schools as well as early childhood education centres. I also ran my own kindergarten near the beach, caring for and educating 30 children. This experience was incredibly rewarding and strengthened my passion for creating a warm, nurturing and stimulating environment where children feel safe, valued and encouraged to explore, learn and grow. I especially value the relationships I build with tamariki and their whānau.
I really enjoy being part of Moriah. The Jewish philosophy and values are very meaningful to me, as they feel familiar and closely connected to my own beliefs and upbringing. Being part of this community gives me a wonderful sense of belonging and makes Moriah feel like home.
Outside of work, I enjoy gardening, hiking, camping and going for walks, as well as figure skating. I am also an avid reader and enjoy discovering new books. Most of all, I treasure spending quality time with my family and enjoying the simple moments we share together.
Yuko Takeda (she/her)
Assistant Principal
BA (Psych), Grad Dip. Arts, Grad Dip. ECE.
I whanau ahau ki Tōkio, Hapani, engari e noho ano ahau ki Te Whanganui a Tara, Aotearoa.
I was born in Japan but have lived in this stunning country for over 20 years.
I hold qualifications from the University of Otago and a Graduate Diploma of Teaching (ECE) from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
After completing my degrees in Economics, I began my career as an Investment Portfolio Banker. However, I soon realised that this work did not bring me the happiness or fulfilment I was seeking. Reflecting on what I valued most, I discovered that education was deeply important to me. This led me to become a teacher, a decision I have never regretted!
I am passionate about working with children and creating a warm, caring and safe environment where tamariki feel supported to develop their independence, confidence and capabilities. I believe every tamaiti is a treasure full of potential, and that education can help them flourish in body, mind and spirit.
Outside of teaching, I am involved with the Wellington Interfaith Council and community-building activities as a Baha’i. I enjoy cooking and baking, exploring new cafés and restaurants, spending time with friends, and connecting with nature.
Lisa Shefer (she/her)
Teacher
Bachelor of Education
I whānau mai ahau i Iharaira. I was born in Jerusalem, Israel, where I also raised my three sons. My mother was born here in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, so moving to Aotearoa New Zealand has given me a special connection to this place and to my family’s roots. I have been living in New Zealand since 2023 and feel very grateful to now call Wellington home.
For the past 20 years, I have had the privilege of working with tamariki of all ages in a variety of settings, including Early Childhood Education, Jewish education, and the Jerusalem Democratic School. These experiences have deepened my passion for creating meaningful learning environments where children feel respected, supported and encouraged to be curious, creative and confident in who they are.
I believe children learn best through relationships, play, exploration and shared experiences. I particularly enjoy using music, storytelling and the natural environment to spark children’s imagination and create opportunities for connection and discovery.
I have a great love for music, nature and travel, and I am fascinated by different cultures and languages. I enjoy meeting people from different backgrounds and learning from their perspectives and ways of life. I value experiences that bring people together and create a sense of community and belonging.
Nancy Gamliel (she/her)
Administrator and Teacher
I whānau mai ahau ki Aketina engari, i tipu ake au ki Iharaira.
I was born in Argentina and grew up in Israel before moving to Aotearoa New Zealand with my family. We have three children, two of whom were also students at Moriah, so being part of the Moriah community holds a very special place in my heart and means a lot to our family.
After completing my degree in Science, I worked in the computer industry. While I enjoyed my work, I discovered that working with children brought me a much greater sense of joy and fulfilment. I love being at Kindy and having the opportunity to spend time with tamariki as they learn, explore, develop new skills and grow in confidence.
Moriah is a place filled with warmth, love and a strong sense of community. I feel very valued here, and the children constantly remind me how meaningful and rewarding my role is. I especially enjoy introducing tamariki to new ideas and experiences, and I love teaching them dancing and seeing their enthusiasm as they move, have fun and express themselves.
I feel very fortunate to be part of the Moriah whānau and to contribute to a caring and positive environment where children feel safe, loved, confident and excited to learn. Being able to support tamariki during these important early years is something I truly value and enjoy.