Evakona is a signatory to the New Zealand Ministry of Education Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students
Evakona is accredited by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)
Our Friendly and Qualified Team
Meet the team at Evakona. We are professional, qualified, warm and friendly. We are passionate about supporting you on your English language voyage and helping you realise your dream. Read all about us below.
Lyndsey Singer(BA Hons,TESOL), ) - Director of Studies (Whitianga)
I have enjoyed teaching English for over 20 years, 10 of those in Tokyo at Kanda Gaigo Gakuin. I have also taught in Manchester, England, before moving back to NZ. Originally from England, I love to travel. I spent a year in South America and have been everywhere in Asia. I love Asian cooking, swimming and ‘onsens’! I can speak Spanish and a little Japanese. English can open the world for you…come and join us!
Judy Evans (BA Japanese) - Manager (Head-Office/Whitianga), Teacher (Whitianga)
Hello,and welcome to Evakona! I have been teaching since 1989, including eleven years teaching English in Japan, mainly in Kyoto. I have also taught Japanese language in New Zealand secondary schools. As well as Japanese culture, I am interested in art, garden design, farming, and commercial-fishing. Having studied Japanese, Spanish, and even French at secondary school, I understand the joy and frustration of language learning. I look forward to sharing your English Language Voyage with you.
Lisl Wollheim Jones (CELTA)- Teacher / Homestay Co-ordinator (Whitianga)
Hi! I have been teaching at Evakona since 2002. My job is exciting and varied; teaching English; arranging homestays; and co-ordinating school activities! I am a really active person, so it suits me well. I sailed to New Zealand with my husband and son, and I love discovering new places and cultures! I love exploring, playing tennis and squash, hiking, nature and spending time with my family. I hope you will love this beautiful environment as much as I do. I look forward to sharing everything that we have to offer with you.
Ako (Atsuko) Carse (BA) - Teacher / Student Counsellor (Whitianga)
I'm a Japanese-Kiwi, and I came to New Zealand when I was 11 years old. My interests include reading, watching films, art and early childhood education. Having learnt English in New Zealand, I know how challenging it can be to study in another country, but you will gain so much more than just a second language! I hope I can support you on your exciting journey of learning and experiencing the New Zealand lifestyle.
Athena Yiannett (MA, TESOL) - Teacher (Whitianga)
My family and I settled in the Coromandel in 2004. We were attracted to the beauty of the area and the lifestyle it offered. I have a background in Sociology and Education. Working as an English language teacher fulfills a great part of my interest in different soical groups, and it's a real pleasure getting to know people from a variety of cultural backgrounds.
Damon Ingoe (BEducation, BA, DipBus, TESOL) - Teacher (Whitianga)
Hi there! I have just returned to New Zealand after teaching in Fukuoka, Japan, for 13 years. I live in Tairua and enjoy scuba-diving and fishing.
Joerg Klenert (CELTA) - Teacher (Whitianga)
Originally from Germany, I travelled the world a lot until I found my favourite place to be - Whitianga! Besides English and German, I also speak Spanish, Italian, French and a little Japanese. I love languages. In 2004, I joined the team at Evakona and have been teaching English here ever since. Please come and find out why I love this place so much - I'm sure you will like it too!
Julianne Dobson (Dip Learnring&Behaviour, Cert Adult Ed, TESOL) - Teacher (Thames)
I am trained in Education and Welfare. I have taught ESOL, Literacy & Numeracy in secondary schools, language institutes and community agencies. I love teaching and supporting international students of all ages. I like to provide enjoyable, stimulating lessons that are relevant to each learner's needs. I’m originally from the South Island , and moved to Thames in 2007 with my family. I enjoy skiing, walking, going to the beach, watching film festival movies, listening to music, reading and drinking good coffee!
Robyn Lawrence (BEd, PGDipSLT Distinction, TTC, Te Reo Maori Certificate, TESOL)- Teacher (Thames)
I have always loved languages. In 2004 I studied the Maori language at university, and decided after 25 years of full-time primary teaching that I needed to return to my passion and commit to being a language teacher. I love teaching and working out strategies and activities to help students develop proficiency in the English language. I enjoy walking in nature, reading, theatre, concerts, films, gardening and learning to play the piano.
Louise Dean - Teacher (Thames)
Paul Ross (BMS, CELTA) - Teacher (Thames)
I started teaching teaching English in Japan in 2003, where I spent five years. I met my wife in Japan, and moved to her country, Germany, where I also taught English. We now live in Paeroa, near Thames, and have a young daughter who keeps us very busy. One of my passions is travelling, experiencing new cultures and meeting new people. I have now had the opportunity to visit about 30 countries.I also love reading.
Azumi Katayama - Office / Student Counsellor / Marketing (Head-Office/Whitianga)
I fell in love with this beautiful country, especially the Coromandel Peninsula, and I have been living in New Zealand since 2004. It's a great pleasure to meet people from many different countries here at Evakona, where my job is to support you so that you can get the most benefit from your time here in NZ. The language, the culture, the food, the people... everything is different here from your own country, so I am there to help you enjoy it all. Come and meet the Evakona team, and join us!
Grace Ross- Office Administrator (Head-Office/Whitianga)
I came to New Zealand from Thailand in 1999 to complete my Masters degree in management. After spending a few years working in the Alumni Department at Waikato University, I was fortunate enough to find this job at Evakona. I really enjoy meeting and greeting all the students, and organising student visas. I am married to a New Zealander, and have been living in Whitianga since 2007. I love walking and reading, and am particularly interested in health and nutrition.
Shinya Matsumoto (BEc)- Student Counsellor (Thames)
Hi. My name is Shinya. I am a student counsellor at theThames campus. I graduated from university in Japan and after that I worked for cram school. However as I had been dreaming about working abroad, I decided to come to New Zealand. Fortunately I managed to find such a nice place to work, here at Evakona Education! I love music, too.
Tatsuo (Taddy) Ito - Marketing
Hi. I work in the marketing department of Evakona Education. I came to New Zealand when I was very young so I was educated from primary school to university in New Zealand. My interests are football (soccer), hiking, snowboarding, cycling, anything outdoors, movies, computers, designing, painting, drawing, and socializing. I always recommend that students join any activities with local people, especially outdoors.
