Our Teachers
Jo Stevens - Four-Year-Old Educator (left)
I am a Diploma qualified educator who started her working life as a horticulturist and it gives me great joy to share my love of plants, flowers and the natural world with our children at Yandell Kindergarten. There is wonder all around us and I feel that within a Steiner education that element is particularly honoured. It is one of the reasons both my children attend a Steiner school and why I have studied Steiner education. Thank you for entrusting your child’s kindergarten years to us.
Ersie Kakris - Four-Year-Old Teacher (centre)
I grew up in Warrandyte and was a student at the Melbourne Rudolf Steiner School from playgroup through to year 12. Since then, I have completed a bachelor of International Studies, undertook a year of travelling, reflecting and volunteering before commencing studies again to complete my Masters of Early Childhood and Primary education. I am currently undertaking my Early Childhood Steiner Education part time course at the Steiner Seminar. The joy of working with children is a true gift. I hope to allow each child to really enjoy their first years of education. I am dedicated to providing a safe, secure, and happy environment for the children to allow their worlds of creative play pour out of them. Having grown up in a Steiner school, I feel the type of education offered at Yandell is very special and I am honored to be a part of it all and share this with you and your child.
Amy Callinan - Four-Year-Old Educator (right)
I hold a Graduate Diploma in Primary Education and have worked in both Steiner and mainstream settings in a range of educational roles, such as a kindergarten teacher, playgroup facilitator and kindergarten assistant. My past studies have also included the part-time Ruldolf Steiner teacher training course. With five children of my own I have been involved as a parent in Steiner education for over twenty years, my own daughter attending Yandell Kindergarten in 2013/14. I am so excited to be a part of this wonderful community again but now as an educator, in this passionate and caring teaching team at Yandell Kindergarten.
I am a Diploma qualified educator who started her working life as a horticulturist and it gives me great joy to share my love of plants, flowers and the natural world with our children at Yandell Kindergarten. There is wonder all around us and I feel that within a Steiner education that element is particularly honoured. It is one of the reasons both my children attend a Steiner school and why I have studied Steiner education. Thank you for entrusting your child’s kindergarten years to us.
Ersie Kakris - Four-Year-Old Teacher (centre)
I grew up in Warrandyte and was a student at the Melbourne Rudolf Steiner School from playgroup through to year 12. Since then, I have completed a bachelor of International Studies, undertook a year of travelling, reflecting and volunteering before commencing studies again to complete my Masters of Early Childhood and Primary education. I am currently undertaking my Early Childhood Steiner Education part time course at the Steiner Seminar. The joy of working with children is a true gift. I hope to allow each child to really enjoy their first years of education. I am dedicated to providing a safe, secure, and happy environment for the children to allow their worlds of creative play pour out of them. Having grown up in a Steiner school, I feel the type of education offered at Yandell is very special and I am honored to be a part of it all and share this with you and your child.
Amy Callinan - Four-Year-Old Educator (right)
I hold a Graduate Diploma in Primary Education and have worked in both Steiner and mainstream settings in a range of educational roles, such as a kindergarten teacher, playgroup facilitator and kindergarten assistant. My past studies have also included the part-time Ruldolf Steiner teacher training course. With five children of my own I have been involved as a parent in Steiner education for over twenty years, my own daughter attending Yandell Kindergarten in 2013/14. I am so excited to be a part of this wonderful community again but now as an educator, in this passionate and caring teaching team at Yandell Kindergarten.
Amanda Douglas - Three Year Old Teacher (left)
I am delighted to be teacher for the Fairy Wren group, alongside Melinda. It is a great privilege to be engaging with the children during this early part of their lifelong learning journey, whilst making meaningful connections with the families of Yandell.
I have had a range of experience teaching in the Early Childhood sector since graduating in 2011 with a Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education, working within several different communities, predominantly focused on play based programs for both 3 and 4 year old groups.
The Steiner philosophy of education is closely aligned with my own values as I firmly believe in a holistic approach to learning. I recognise the connectedness of children's physical, social, emotional and spiritual well-being and view children as capable and competent, acknowledging them as active participants in their own learning.
Within the welcoming and safe environment of the kindergarten, it is my pleasure to foster a positive sense of self in every child, with respect for the uniqueness of each other and the natural world around them.
I live in Diamond Creek with my husband and three young children who keep me wondering with their curious questions and keen observations. I am grateful for their requests to play with them and the endless heart - warming moments that can be found in the everyday.
Elke Mendelssohn - Three-Year-Old Educator (right)
I am delighted to be teacher for the Fairy Wren group, alongside Melinda. It is a great privilege to be engaging with the children during this early part of their lifelong learning journey, whilst making meaningful connections with the families of Yandell.
I have had a range of experience teaching in the Early Childhood sector since graduating in 2011 with a Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education, working within several different communities, predominantly focused on play based programs for both 3 and 4 year old groups.
The Steiner philosophy of education is closely aligned with my own values as I firmly believe in a holistic approach to learning. I recognise the connectedness of children's physical, social, emotional and spiritual well-being and view children as capable and competent, acknowledging them as active participants in their own learning.
Within the welcoming and safe environment of the kindergarten, it is my pleasure to foster a positive sense of self in every child, with respect for the uniqueness of each other and the natural world around them.
I live in Diamond Creek with my husband and three young children who keep me wondering with their curious questions and keen observations. I am grateful for their requests to play with them and the endless heart - warming moments that can be found in the everyday.
Elke Mendelssohn - Three-Year-Old Educator (right)
