Meet Our Educators

My name is Jacqui van Dort and I work with the 3-year-olds at Florence Rd Pre School. 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. Outside of work I practice yoga, enjoy walking my dog

Dexter, cooking for friends and family, reading, markets, art galleries and volunteering at FareShare Kitchens.

My name is Sandy and I am the Educator for the optional Monday and Thursday music programs, having completed my Master of Early Childhood Education last year. Previously, I worked alongside Jacqui for the last 9 years.

I am Sri Lankan and have lived in Melbourne for the last 20 years. Outside my work, I teach Sri Lankan & Indian classical dancing and love listening to all types of music. I bring this love of music and movement to the music program on Thursdays.

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 teach the Bush Kinder program at Florence Road Preschool.
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 the Bush Kinder program at Florence Rd Pre School.

My name is Clare and I work alongside Shannon in the extended care program, assist with the 4YO bush Kinder Program and lunch cover on Fridays. I have recently completed my Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood at Swinburne University.
I enjoy spending time with my dog Evie, cooking, photography, reading and lots of creative things which I enjoy sharing with the children

Hi I am Katherine, I am Diploma qualified and have worked in Early Childhood Education for over 30 years - the last 25 years in 3&4 Sessional kindergarten programs. I love supporting children as they explore their world and make discoveries and new connections. Getting to know the children and the families is the highlight of my job.
Outside work, I love reading gardening and going to the movies as well as spending time with family and friends.

My name is Margaret and I work with Sandy in the 3-year-old program. I have worked in Early Childhood Education for over 20 years at various sessional kindergartens. I come from a music loving family and my mother was a piano teacher. After working as a reliever for many years at Florence Rd, I was delighted to be offered the chance to become a permanent part of the team.