Kathy Walker
Principal and Director
Kathy Walker is a renowned Melbourne-based Educational Consultant who conducts a range of professional development sessions throughout Australia for staff working across all sectors of early childhood and primary education as well as a range of government organisations . She also works with parent groups on a range of topics. Kathy is formerly a university lecturer in education and author of the best selling book for parents, What's the Hurry? as well as her latest book for teachers, Play Matters on the Australian Developmental Curriculum
Rene Silbermann
Community presentations
Rene is currently the Head of Mount Scopus Memorial College, Gandel Besen House, in Melbourne. She has worked in Early Childhood/ Primary School for the past 25 years and has a Masters Degree in Special Education- the main focus of her studies was on Early intervention. Rene has a Certificate diploma in Gifted Education from the University of New South Wales and part of her studies involved Gifted Education in Early Childhood settings.
Lyn Benson Psychologist and Family Therapist
Counsellor
Lyn is a fully Registered Psychologist and Family Therapist in private practice since 1996.
Lyn’s areas of special interest include : Changes in the couple relationship following the birth of children; Parenting; Relationship counselling; Women’s issues (in particular helping women become assertive); Family of origin issues; Stress and work related issues; Anxiety; Depression; Problem gambling and Sexual abuse issues.
Helen Newton
Australian Developmental Curriculum Mentor
Helen is a retired Primary School Principal who has worked extensively in all sectors of education: preschools, primary schools, special schools, special education consultancy, secondary schools, preservice teacher training, and universities. She has taught overseas as well as in Australia.
Helen’s formal academic studies include qualifications in early childhood education , special education, and a Master’s Degree in educational administration.
Jane Maeland
Australian Developmental Curriculum Mentor
Jane has many years’ experience in a variety of Early Childhood settings including long day care, sessional Kindergarten and Pre-School in Canada. Since completing her Graduate Diploma in Education, she has taught at Primary level. She is currently a Prep teacher and Prep year level co-ordinator.
Sandy Breit
Parent support
Sandy currently works as a community support worker at Cystic Fibrosis Victoria. Previously she worked as a Counsellor at The Alfred Hospital for over 11 years. She has also worked as a Counsellor at the Victorian Deaf Society and at Children and Family Services at Monash University. Before changing career directions, Sandy was a Primary Teacher & also worked as a Family Support Worker assisting people with parenting skills and organisational skills.
Maria Kyrgias
Australian Developmental Curriculum Mentor and School Readiness assessments
Maria has many years of teaching experience, including positions as Assistant Principal in the primary sector. She has also taught in the middle school sector and in the Education faculty of a tertiary institution.
Maree Mullen
Australian Developmental Curriculum Mentor and Community Presentations
Maree is an experienced primary school teacher who has had many roles of responsibility in teaching and coordinating in the junior, middle and upper year levels of primary school.
She has extensive teaching experience in the early years of schooling and has been a Prep Coordinator for many years.
Emily Ryan
Australian Developmental Curriculum Mentor
Emily has always had an unwavering commitment to quality education. Throughout her teaching career she has had a wide range of experience in all curriculum areas and grade levels at a range of schools across the state. Much of Emily's teaching has been as a Prep Teacher and Junior School Co-ordinator; for the past few years she has worked in a Leading Teachers role while also teaching in the senior grades.