About
A little bit about me….
My parents, brothers and I immigrated from the Netherlands to New Zealand back in 1990. Inspired, as an adult I have been ambitious in my profession and endeavours to travel and explore.
Over the years I immigrated across countries and state. Exploring places, embracing authentic living with loved ones and sharing my love of learning within each of those communities as a teacher.
In search of a lifestyle abundant in nature, peace and simplicity, in my thirties I decided to return to New Zealand to settle down. It was at this time that I stumbled upon some hard truths about un answered mysteries in my physical health. I was diagnosed with endometriosis….. this explained so much! After two surgeries and a time of healing, I started to wonder, how could I live my life differently, how could I slow it down and create balance?
Drawing on a consistent character strength of mine (love of learning) I pushed myself to achieve enhanced wellbeing in the longer term, specialising in learning and behaviour by attaining a Post Graduate through Canterbury University. This commitment and effort offered me future flexibility in my career and life routine. This was a game changer in controlling symptoms for my endometriosis, I was back thriving again.
Two years on, applying my studies working across four local schools within my community, I started identifying common trends and gaps which I believed positive education, positive coaching and positive parenting could fill, so yet again I went back to the books! “Positive Psychology is the scientific study of positive human functioning and flourishing on multiple levels.” Martin Seligman and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
And here we are, the landscape which I created, combining learning, well being and meaning.. The Curiosity Circuit is an authentic expression and project I am proud to introduce and share helping others on their journey to feel empowered and find their way in balancing learning and wellbeing.
My purpose is to empower anyone who is curious to grow, to enhance meaning and engagement in their life for themselves, those that they hold dear and for the greater good.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read my story. What’s yours?
Laura van Leeuwen
Professional Bio
Laura draws on her recent studies in Positive Psychology and Well Being and two decades of experience within various education systems and settings to bring; the Curiosity Circuit.
Her journey as an educator started with 4 years training and work as an Early Childhood Teacher with a curiosity and passion for pedagogies such as; Montessori and Reggio Emilia.
Followed by attaining a Bachelor in Education from Waikato University, NZ she taught for 10 years as a Primary School Teacher in New Zealand, Australia, England and the Netherlands within private, public and international settings. Her highest curiosity in attaining her degree were pedagogy and learning environment design.
As a Classroom Teacher back in 2015 she observed a gap in the focus and importance of wellbeing in schools and curriculum. Her passion to lead in the integration of wellbeing and learning led her to complete a Post Graduate in Learning and Behaviour through Canterbury University, NZ, qualifying as a Specialist Teacher.
Applying studies, her work allowed her to support groups, teachers and schools with guidance and the design for well being and learning interventions with a strengths based focus. Further passionate investigations led her to co-lead her team in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Play Based Learning. During this time she lead in modelling and facilitating Mindfulness and Yoga in Schools in the region and was selected to train alongside a Pedagogista visiting NZ from Reggio Emilia Italy to integrate play observation and programme design.
She visits learning environments as part of her ongoing inquiry into 21st century learning i.e, forest schools, Montessori, Steiner, UDL Primary and high schools and specialised Play Based Learning schools.
She works in teams with Behavioural Psychologists, Occupational, Play and Speech Therapists, Social Workers, Resource Teachers for Literacy, Principals, Early Childhood Teachers, RTLB’s, Early Intervention Specialists, Expert Parents, Nurses, Gifted Education Teachers and various other specialists in this field supporting students and their family and community.
After 3 years as a Specialist Teacher Laura moved onto a new function created by the Ministry of Education as Learning Support Coordinator where the focus was on mild to moderate neurodiverse needs. Laura developed a specific interest in Gifted Education, collaborating for two years with her Mentor from Waikato University to develop identification processes for twice exceptionalities. She coordinated meaningful connections between community members and the classroom and held a strong philosophy of making professional development available to both teachers and parents.
Autumn 2022 sees Laura moving from the East Coast Coromandel to a gorgeous remote coastal town on the Wonderful Wild West Coast of New Zealand for love. Filling an observed niche to offer personalised support for parents to advocate for their children within education systems and for learners to understand and advocate for themselves so they experience optimal experience and success in their schooling career. The intention of starting the Curiosity Circuit is to offer her knowledge and passion on a more global, easily accessible platform online.
Laura is curious about pottery, surfing and growing mushrooms. She loves to hike, hang out with her dog Alba & garden. She cooks to show love, practises Iyengar Yoga to stay aligned, is bilingual and loves to travel, gather with friends, meet new people and study philosophy.
