Meet Our Educators

My name is Jacqui van Dort and I work with the 3s at Florence Road. I have been an Early Childhood Educator for over 30 years!!

During this period, I have been fortunate to have worked in a wide range of settings – from running a large Day Care Centre and a Double Unit Kinder in the inner city, to working with Special Needs children at Uncle Bobs at the Royal Children’s Hospital.

I love my work with young children and their families, and feel I have a lot to share with them. Working with children is a blessing, as they are so grounding and live very much in the moment.

I have 2 children, Corey, 28 and Tash, 24 both are keen travellers, and have been fortunate enough to have travelled extensively all over the world. My daughter will be away for most of this year working in the UK on a work visa…I will miss her. Outside of work I practice yoga, taking my dog Dexter for long walks, cooking for friends & family, reading, markets, art galleries and volunteering at FareShare Kitchens.

I have recently completed my training to teach yoga to children, so I can confidently add this to my program on a daily basis.

My name is Sandy and I’m the co-educator for 3-year-old group. I’ve been with this kindergarten since August 2014 and I have enjoyed becoming a part of this wonderful kindergarten community.
I’m a Sri Lankan professional dance choreographer and have lived in Melbourne for the last 16 years. I have been working with children for the last 25 years. Outside my work, I teach Sri Lankan & Indian classical dancing and love listening to all types of music.
I have a happy family with my lovely husband, 14yr old daughter and 12yr old son. I enjoy my life and look forward to a wonderful year.

I’m Fiona, I am the Kindergarten Director and I teach the 4-Year-Old Kinder group. I have been in the field of Education for 22 years working across Child Care, Primary Teaching, with most of my teaching time in Kindergartens.
Away from Kinder I enjoy gardening, going to the Art Gallery, family gatherings and going to the gym, with Pilates becoming a favourite activity over the past few years. I love watching sport and am a keen Geelong member. I have a niece and nephew who are growing up fast and are an important part of my life.
I look forward to a fun filled time working with your children as they grow and develop across the year.

My name is Maria Palumbo and I have the pleasure of being an Educator for the 4-Year-Old Kinder group. I have enjoyed working at Florence Rd Pre School for almost 11 years now. In 2011, I successfully obtained my Certificate III in Children’s Services.
I live locally with my husband Frank and my two children, Bianca and Anthony. Bianca completed her Psychology degree and is currently working as an operations co-ordinator. Anthony is in his fourth year at Uni studying Commerce and Accounting.
I am delighted to have the opportunity to be working with and supporting your children at Florence Rd Pre School. I derive a great deal of satisfaction seeing them develop and grow throughout the year.

I am one of the Co-Educators for the four-year-old group and Co- Educator for the bush kinder and music programs on Thursdays. I have been a part of the Florence Road community for the past eight years.
I have a degree in fine arts, a Bachelor of Education and many years’ experience working in early child education. I live in Surrey Hills with my family and love the area and the community.

I’m Shannon and I wear lots of different hats (literally) at Florence Road Pre School. I work along Shenel and Gill as a Bush Kinder Co-Educator on Thursdays. I also cover the lunches of all the teachers, which makes me very popular. And finally this year I am assisting with our extended care program. I love my different roles as I get to meet and know every child across all the programs at Florence Road Kinder.
I have been associated with Florence Road Pre School since 2006 as a parent and Committee President for 3 years. It was during these associations I developed a passion for Early Childhood Education and a love of Florence Road. So much so, that I have recently completed my Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Care.
I am very passionate about sessional kindergarten, the lasting friendships it creates for parents as well as the children and the sense of community it brings. The extended care program now makes these benefits accessible to more families which is very exciting. I am really looking forward to spending time getting to know you and your children.

My name is Larissa Wall, and I first started teaching the music program at Florence Road Preschool in 2017.
I am a qualified kindergarten teacher, with a Master of Teaching (Early Childhood/Early Years) from the University of Melbourne and have been teaching in kindergarten settings since 2013. I have a strong musical background with classical training in piano, flute, recorder and double bass, and a passion for early childhood music education. I am just as passionate about nature pedagogy and feel privileged to be able to run both the Music and the Bush Kinder programs at Florence Rd PRe School.

My name is Bridget and I am the afternoon extended care educator. I am currently completing my 3rd year of my Bachelor of Education degree in Early Childhood Education. I have previously worked in the OSCH program at Trinity Grammar. I enjoy cooking, dancing and reading which are all interests I love to share with the children. I am excited to be part of the development of the extended care program at Florence Rd Kinder.