Emmy Adams | Specialist Teacher

Kia ora koutou Shotover community!

My name is Emmy Adams and it's my honor to be the Specialist Teacher at Shotover Primary School. This means I have the honour of supporting our ORS students with a range of disabilities to access their learning environment and be included with their peers.

I have been part of the disability community my whole life as a friend and family member of people with disabilities, so celebrating and creating an inclusive world isn't just what I do, it is who I am at my core.

At 14 years old I became a student aid in the Special Education classroom at my high school and from that moment on I knew I wanted to teach students with disabilities.

I began my career working in respite care for nearly 10 years, giving families of kids with disabilities a break before going on to get my degree in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado.

I started my teaching career working as a Special Education teacher to students with high behavior needs at a primary school in Colorado before beginning the journey to get my teaching license recognized in Aotearoa New Zealand.

I am a Kiwi-American, born in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) and moved between there and Colorado my whole life. I started coming to Queenstown in 2021 and worked four winter seasons teaching in the ski kindy Skiwiland on Coronet Peak as well as volunteering with the Adaptive Snow Program supporting people with disabilities to access the snow.

In Term 4 of 2024, I found Shotover and was blown away by what an inclusive school it is and took on the role of Specialist Teacher. I am very passionate about continuing to make Shotover a place where ALL students feel they belong and ALL minds are celebrated.

I am also very passionate about kaitiakitanga (sustainability) and help run the Enviro Club at our kura.

Aside from teaching, a few other things I love are: volunteering in the community, travel, exploring nature and listening to music.

I am so excited to be at Shotover and to learn and grow with you all!

Mai i te kōpae ki te urupa, tātou ako tonu ai.
From the cradle to the grave, we are forever learning.

Christina Brady

Kia ora!
I’m Miss Christina. I've been working as a learning assistant for several years supporting individuals and small groups of students in their learning. After completing a Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning, I’m now proud and very excited to join the Shotover School whānau in a mentor role as well.

I arrived in Queenstown from England back in 2012 for what was meant to be a one-year adventure, but I quickly realised this beautiful place was where I wanted to stay. My family and I feel incredibly lucky to call Aotearoa home, making the most of the mountains in our back garden.

Ashlee Wesley

I am thrilled to be part of the Shotover Primary School team for 2026.

I will bring my own brand of enthusiasm, curiosity and supportiveness everyday.

I moved to Arrowtown from Auckland with my husband and two little boys last year. We are still pinching ourselves that we call this place home and we make the most of it at every opportunity.

Weekends are spent up the mountain, down by the river or anywhere in between. 

I am big on respect, authenticity and laughter.

Please come and say hi!

Michelle Somers

I'm delighted to be a part of the Shotover Primary School community. It is such a welcoming and uplifting place to work and I love being part of a team that is supportive, fun and always learning from one another.

Originally from Ireland, I made Queenstown my home in 2019 after what was meant to be a one-year trip. I have taught in a variety of educational settings in the UK, Australia and New Zealand over the last 10+ years, and what I’ve enjoyed most in every role is getting to know young people, building strong relationships and helping spark joy and a love for learning.

I believe education should support the whole child. School is about helping young people grow into confident, well-rounded individuals who feel ready for the real world. I value hands-on, creative and inclusive learning that celebrates each child’s strengths, sparks curiosity and encourages them to explore, take risks and feel proud of what they can achieve.

When I’m not at school, you’ll usually find me up a mountain snowboarding or biking, or somewhere creating art, usually with a coffee close by.

Scott Bartley

Tēnā koutou katoa,

I’m incredibly excited to be joining the Shotover whānau here in Queenstown as I begin this new career as a kaiako. Working with our tamariki and watching them grow into incredible human beings brings me immense joy.

Before stepping into education, I spent much of my earlier career as a technology journalist in Auckland, writing about the latest gadgets, computers and software for some of Aotearoa’s most popular magazines. I later transitioned into public relations, representing some of the world’s largest technology companies.

Since then I’ve worn many hats – freelance writer, bicycle mechanic, and, most importantly, dad to two amazing (now grown) kids.

Originally from the North Island, my wife and I have called Queenstown home for over four years now, and we absolutely love it. If you’re into gravel biking, mountain biking, or hiking as much as I am, don’t be shy –  say kia ora if you spot me out on the trails!

Ngā mihi nui
Scotty
Ngāpuhi/Ngāti Ruanui

Mel Liddy

Julia Schist

Kia Ora

I was born and raised in Christchurch, studied nutrition for 4 years in Dunedin, then moved back home to do my postgraduate diploma and masters in teaching. I moved to Queenstown to start my teaching career in 2021 and have loved every minute in this beautiful town and school.

My daily mission is to ensure that myself and my students find joy in small things and appreciate the space we are in.

Outside of my teaching life I love spending far too much time in cafe’s planning future world travels, painting, and exploring the outdoors whether that be skiing, running, walking, biking or swimming

Ngā mini nui

Julia

juliaschist@shotover.school.nz

Karyn Wallis

I’m stoked to be a part of the Shotover team. I like to call myself a semi local. Being brought up in Southland and having the family ‘crib’ in Arrowtown from when I was born I have a good knowledge of our area and am enjoying bringing our family up here with all it has to offer.

My teaching experience spans the globe for the past 18 years. I’ve worked in Japan, Australia and NZ. Even doing a stint as Principal. Just ask me about it. I took a few years break after moving back to NZ with our young kids but somehow found my way back into the classroom. I enjoy teaching a range of ages, developing good relationships with the children and aim to provide some fun along the way.

Outside of school, you might see me taxiing my kids around to their multitude of after school activities, gyming, hiking, biking, skiing, running (or more recently shuffling), boating or having a quiet drink with family and friends at the local.

Ella O'Reilly

Ko ngā pae tawhiti whāia kia tata, ko ngā pae tata, whakamaua kia tina.

The potential for tomorrow depends on what we do today.

I feel privileged to be a part of the team that works so hard to grow great humans, as I embark on my teaching career at Shotover. I have always been an interesting mix of left and right brain; at university I studied both design and psychology - I have spent the last 14 years working in graphic and web design, and am excited now to reignite my passion for education, for how children learn, and to now implement this in igniting their potential. 

My husband and I have two boys at the school, and so have been a school parent aswell as a mentor. 

I’m a New Zealander and have been in Queenstown for over 15 years now, but am a global citizen - I spent my high school years living in England and exploring Europe. We were fortunate to travel as a family in 2018, working in Zambia for a short time, and exploring my husband’s Irish ancestry, creating some amazing memories.

I love life, embrace joy and am continually thankful for this beautiful place that we are so fortunate to live, and raise our children in. 

Karina Coles

Kia ora, my name is Karina Coles (Miss Karina at school) and I feel very privileged to be part of the Shotover team.

I grew up in Arrowtown for the majority of my childhood, before relocating to Dunedin with my family when I was 11. I completed my bachelor of teaching at the University of Otago, and then boarded a jet plane to start my teaching journey in England. I spent almost 4 years teaching in the UK before returning to New Zealand and settling in Queenstown.

I have been teaching for several years and have experience teaching a variety of age groups, however I have been mainly based in junior school and preschool. My inspiration to become a teacher grew from my own experience as a pupil in primary school. I was fortunate enough to have a very engaging and nurturing teacher. It had such a positive impact on my learning and my experience at school.

In my spare time I enjoy exploring Queenstown and going on family adventures with my husband Joe and my 3 year old son Ollie.

Chris Heald

Kia ora whānau,

Originally from Yorkshire, I have been calling Tāhuna, Queenstown home since 2018. Like most who visit this beautiful whenua, I instantly loved the active lifestyle, friendly people, and opportunities to get out into the backcountry. During my time here, I have connected with our awesome community through various hobbies and teaching the valuable life skill, swimming. After completing my teacher training in 2023, I am very excited to start my career at Shotover Primary School which played a vital role in my studies. The school values of "1% better" and "growth mindset" align perfectly with the culture I hope to foster in the classroom. 

Being dyslexic, I am very passionate about connecting with tamariki to understand how each individual learns, ensuring they feel fully supported on their own journey. Whanaungatanga is at the heart of my practice and I am excited to get to know the ākonga in Kawarau as we learn and grow together. Teaching for me is about celebrating each student's successes and helping them see the mana-enhancing potential in working together. In my free time you will likely find me on the golf course, tramping, swimming, or playing cricket.