Experience and background

Aylana has been part of the Marsden community since 2017, following teaching roles in both New Zealand and the United Kingdom. She brings a wealth of experience from teaching in a variety of settings such as the large multicultural co-ed school in Auckland, where she was an Associate Dean for Years 9, 12 and 13. Before that, she was Assistant Head of the Languages Faculty in her first year of teaching.

Since joining Marsden, Aylana has taken on various leadership roles, including Dean of Years 8, 9 and 12 and more recently in 2025, she stepped into the role of Year 13 Dean, supporting students in their final year of school.

Education and qualifications

Aylana holds an MEdL (Master of Educational Leadership) with Distinction from Auckland University of Technology, where she received the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Postgraduate Study for her outstanding results. She also holds a conjoint BA/BTeach from Victoria University of Wellington, making her both a primary and secondary-trained teacher. Her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature is complemented by studies in History, New Zealand Sign Language, and Māori Studies.

Teaching philosophy

Aylana is deeply passionate about English, a love that was inspired by  her own high school teacher. She strives to make the subject engaging for all students, fostering a love of literature both in and out of the classroom. 

Outside of school

Aylana enjoys gardening, swimming, yoga, and bike rides with her family. For Aylana, home is a space to share with family, including her two kittens. She loves spending time outside in her garden and embracing the ever-changing beauty of our natural world. 

Aylana’s passion for education, leadership and literature, combined with her warmth and dedication to her students, make her a valued member of the Marsden team.