KATHRYN MCINNES – EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR
Nominated Supervisor and Red Group Educator
Kathryn joined OAK at the beginning of 2012. She has a Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood) and has been working in the education system for many years.
Kathryn believes in providing a play based curriculum, where children are encouraged to follow their own interests, to be creative, imaginative and to be challenged. She believes that kindergarten is a place for children, parents and educators to work together to provide the best possible experience for children.
Kathryn is married, has two daughters and enjoys spending time in the country.
ELISABETH MRENA – EARLY CHILDHOOD CO EDUCATOR
Red Group Co-Educator and Extended Care Co-Educator
Elisabeth (known as Liz) joined OAK in 2013. Liz has a Diploma in Children’s Services. She is married and has an adult son. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Liz believes children learn best in a nurturing, safe environment where they are allowed to learn through play at their own pace and loves the honesty, energy and enthusiasm of pre-schoolers. She is proud to be involved with such a genuine and warm community of staff, children and families.
MARY-ELLEN L’HUILLIER – EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR
Purple Group Educator
Mary-Ellen joined OAK in 2017 after doing some relief teaching during 2016. She has a Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching and aims to provide a play based learning environment where each individual child is encouraged and supported in all areas of their learning.
Mary-Ellen loves planning and implementing a fun and stimulating program that supports all the children in the group and ensures that each child is given the opportunities required to reach their individual potential.
She has four teenage children and enjoys reading, walking, swimming, tennis and catching up with family and friends. She loves going camping and has travelled to many beautiful places within Australia.
CYNTHIA RICHARDS – EARLY CHILDHOOD CO EDUCATOR
Purple Group Co-Educator
Cynthia has been working in early childhood education for over 7 years and joined OAK in 2013. She has completed her Diploma in Early Childhood Education and is studying towards her Bachelor of Early Childhood Education. She loves being part of the OAK team, enjoying the wealth of knowledge shared between all of the teachers. She is passionate about developing great relationships with the children and believes from there on everything is made easier in helping them along their learning journey.
Cynthia is married with two children aged 14 and 12 and she first became involved in early childhood education after her youngest child finished kindergarten.
NICOLE TAYLOR – EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR
Blue Group and Yellow Group Educator
OAK welcomed Nicole in 2019 as the Blue Group Educator and in 2020 she will also take on the role of Yellow Group Educator. Nicole has a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) and has many years’ experience in Early Childhood. She aims to create an atmosphere that is stimulating, encouraging, nurturing, and natural whilst always catering to each child’s individual needs. Nicole believes children learn through play therefore it is of upmost importance that the environment provided facilitates development of creativity, exploration and imagination. Nicole believes each child should be valued and celebrated for their uniqueness.
Nicole is married with two children aged 7 & 10 years. Nicole loves spending time with her family, going to the beach, the gym and travelling.
SHELLY BLOOMFIELD – EARLY CHILDHOOD CO EDUCATOR
Blue Group Co-Educator
Shelley has a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education. She joined OAK as a co-educator in 2016 but was part of the OAK community prior to that while her son attended 3 and 4 year old kinder.
Shelley is excited to be a part of children’s early learning journey by helping young minds grow and believes that children have the right to be accepted into a caring environment in which they can learn, grow and develop self-confidence. Shelley loves the strong sense of community at OAK and getting to know all the children and their families.
DEBBIE CORIN – EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR
Orange Group Educator
Debbie joined OAK in 2019 as the Orange Group Educator. After practising as a dietician for 20 years, Debbie decided to make a career change and completed her Masters in Teaching at Monash University.
Debbie’s intention is to create a positive and nurturing learning environment where children are able to explore and develop social and emotional skills. She believes children’s learning and development is enhanced by fostering collaborative relationships with families.
Debbie lives locally with her husband and two girls, aged 7 and 9 years.
VANESSA FITZMAURICE – EARLY CHILDHOOD CO EDUCATOR
Orange and Yellow Group Co-Educator and Extended Care Leader
Vanessa recently completed her Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, which included a placement at OAK. She loved the kinder so much she kept coming back as a volunteer and we are so glad she is now part of the OAK team. Vanessa’s educational philosophy is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to education that recognises children as capable, resilient instigators of their own learning. She is also influenced by the Nature Pedagogy, whereby children learn through play with natural materials and in nature outdoors.
Vanessa likes to spend a lot of her own time outside in nature exploring new areas with her dog Ivy. You may see Vanessa in the neighbourhood walking her dog at the local parks and beaches.
DENISE BATCHELOR – EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR
Educational Leader
Denise has been part of the OAK community since 2010 as a parent, committee member and President in 2011. She has a Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Studies (Early Intervention). She taught in kindergartens for many years before working in Early Childhood Intervention as a Specialist Teacher for six years.
Denise is passionate about the inclusion of all children into the community early childhood programs. She places an emphasis on social play as the basis for learning and for the development of children’s confidence.
As Educational Leader Denise believes that a happy and supported staffing group leads to the best outcomes for children and families.
You can contact our teachers directly at olympic.ave.teachers@kindergarten.vic.gov.au