Welcome to The Study Nook
Welcome to The Study Nook, a family-owned-and-operated tutoring company dedicated to providing exceptional support for learners and their families. Our passion for education stems from our personal experience with dyslexia, driving us to support students with diverse educational needs as well as those who simply want to improve.
At The Study Nook, we are committed to using evidence-based practices to develop confidence, understanding, and support learning success in every child. Our qualified teachers and tutors use proven methods to ensure each student receives the highest quality education tailored to their unique needs.
Join our family at The Study Nook, where personalised education, compassionate support, and evidence-based tutoring are at the heart of everything we do. Let us help your child realise their full potential and develop a lifelong love for learning. Experience the difference with our qualified tutors and comprehensive support for all learners.
Meet Dani
Owner and Structured Literacy Specialist
Dani is a dedicated and qualified Primary School Teacher with a wealth of experience in various educational systems, having taught in Auckland, Australia, and locally. Her expertise spans the New Zealand Curriculum, the NSW Curriculum, the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, and the Cambridge Curriculum. Dani's commitment to academic excellence led her to complete the University of NSW Mini-COGE, focusing on supporting high-potential and gifted students. She further honed her skills through training with the Dyslexia Foundation.
In her recent role as the Head of Primary at a local school, Dani implemented the iDeaL Approach through Learning Matters, witnessing significant improvements in reading, spelling, and increased confidence in struggling learners. Inspired by this and her step-daughter's struggles with literacy in high school, Dani decided to further her Structured Literacy training by completing the Learning Matters Intervention Training certification recognised by the International Dyslexia Association.
Meet Dwayne
General Manager
With a wealth of experience in retail leadership, Dwayne brings a seasoned perspective to The Study Nook. Over his career, Dwayne has honed his skills in leading retail teams and leaders to success, embodying a hands-on Servant Leader style that prioritises building effective teams. He is dedicated to encouraging and empowering team members to reach their full potential in an environment that fosters personal growth and contribution.
Dwayne's leadership approach is defined by principled guidance and clear direction, coupled with a structured problem-solving methodology that identifies causes and offers innovative solutions. He is unafraid to challenge the status quo and act as a catalyst for change, motivating others to embrace and adapt to evolving circumstances.
His proficiency extends to managing internal reporting systems and providing regular feedback to team members, ensuring transparency and accountability across all levels of operation. Dwayne thrives in open communication environments, valuing regular feedback as a means to continuously improve results and performance.
Throughout his career, Dwayne has achieved notable success, earning recognition such as the Channel Champions Award for Retail Leader of the Year and the Super Achiever award for top-performing store leader. His track record of driving profitability, sales growth, and team development speaks volumes about his dedication and leadership.
Meet Erin
English Specialist
After graduating from Auckland's Avondale College with a scholarship, Erin embarked on a journey of extensive study and travel. She discovered her passion for education early on and began her teaching career with seven years at an International School under the Cambridge Board, where she also served as a Child Protection Officer and Student Counsellor. Erin furthered her studies in Europe, focusing on Teacher Training, Ethics, Leadership, World Religions, Sanskrit Epics, and Philosophy at the University of Wales, Lampeter, and in Belgium. She then spent six years lecturing and managing campus societies in Europe and South Africa.
Returning to school teaching in 2015, Erin headed a high school English department for eight years. In 2023, she returned to New Zealand and is now teaching English and Humanities students for CIE, Pearson Edexcel, and NCEA boards.
Erin is known for her warmth, humour, and understanding. She brings lessons to life with a vast array of original teaching materials and provides detailed feedback to effectively target individual challenges. Her dedication has enabled hundreds of students to achieve outstanding exam results, with her former students going on to become entrepreneurs, teachers, editors, lawyers, actors, authors, doctors, pilots, and engineers.
Gaurangi Meshram (Graduate of 2021, now studying Law): "I want to thank her for all of her support, guidance, and encouragement. I received an A* with a 91 percentile for IGCSE English!"
Sahasra Naidoo (AS Graduate of 2023, now studying IT in UFL, USA): "I'd never taken interest in English before, but she made classes fun and personal. Her way of encouraging was so subtle yet very effective because, at the end of the day, I got an A*."
Meet Marie
Primary Structured Literacy and Maths Specialist
Marie brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our educational community.
As an experienced teacher, Marie's passion lies in Structured Literacy. Trained under the guidance of Liz Kane, Marie champions evidence-based practices that empower students with foundational literacy skills.
Marie's diverse teaching background spans from Year 0 to Year 8, with a focus on supporting individuals and small groups of at-risk readers. Her dedication to student success is unwavering, evidenced by her commitment to ongoing professional development and her overseas scholarship experience in teaching English as a foreign language.
Meet Daniel
Mathematics Specialist
With almost a decade of tutoring experience, Daniel brings a diverse background in mathematics education to the The Study Nook. Specialising in algebra and calculus, and with experience in tutoring from Primary to Tertiary level mathematics, Daniel has developed a comprehensive understanding of the different needs at each stage of learning.
Currently studying at the University of Waikato under a major in Mathematics, and with a strong academic record, Daniel has a particular passion for algebra, calculus and the theoretical side of the subject. This enthusiasm for mathematics is matched by his commitment to helping students excel in their studies. For Daniel, there are four key traits a tutor should have: Patience, Personalisation, Expertise and Friendliness. These in action ensure a supportive and effective learning environment for students that can help studying an often daunting subject like math feel more approachable. Every student is different, and Daniel prides himself on being able to accommodate accordingly to every unique learning need. Through this positive and encouraging atmosphere, Daniel aims to not only improve students' mathematical skills, but also to boost their confidence and enjoyment of the subject, and help them to realise a their full potential. Whether working with learners who find maths challenging or those seeking to excel, Daniel is dedicated to making a meaningful difference in their academic journeys.