Meet the Team
Anna - Director
I have been working in education for nearly 30 years now. I have worked as an early childhood and primary teacher in many different settings including most recently, in a progressive school. I have a Masters in Counselling Education and prior to working at IHK I was a school counsellor and lecturer in teacher education. I am currently completing my PhD with a research focus on children’s capacity and rights for voice in early childhood which keeps me very busy. I have an interest in family diversity and social justice, children’s wellbeing, and in particular, how educators can support children and families to feel a sense of belonging and connection within their community.
In my spare time I love gardening, yoga, bushwalking and travelling as much as I can. I have two teenage girls and a very needy ragdoll cat.
In my spare time I love gardening, yoga, bushwalking and travelling as much as I can. I have two teenage girls and a very needy ragdoll cat.
Lisa - Educational Leader
I’ve worked at IHK for 9 years as a Teacher, Educational Leader and twice as Interim Director. I have 16 years’ experience working in ECEC, teaching and supporting vulnerable children and families. I have two children, three chickens and one very spoilt dog. I enjoy spending time in nature, growing things, swimming, reading and have a special interest in brain development.
In my role as Educational Leader, I work closely with teachers and children, focusing on pedagogy and practice, ensuring quality programs and continuous improvement. I feel honoured to work with such a supportive team of professionals who are committed to providing an exceptional curriculum for the children of IHK.
My favourite thing about working at IHK is the opportunity to watch children develop, play and explore in our beautiful garden space, experiencing the 7 Kulin seasons and connecting with nature.
I’ve worked at IHK for 9 years as a Teacher, Educational Leader and twice as Interim Director. I have 16 years’ experience working in ECEC, teaching and supporting vulnerable children and families. I have two children, three chickens and one very spoilt dog. I enjoy spending time in nature, growing things, swimming, reading and have a special interest in brain development.
In my role as Educational Leader, I work closely with teachers and children, focusing on pedagogy and practice, ensuring quality programs and continuous improvement. I feel honoured to work with such a supportive team of professionals who are committed to providing an exceptional curriculum for the children of IHK.
My favourite thing about working at IHK is the opportunity to watch children develop, play and explore in our beautiful garden space, experiencing the 7 Kulin seasons and connecting with nature.
Carol - Administrator
I started at IHK in September 2022 and can be found in the office area. I have many years of administration experience, and history in childcare centres, and am looking forward to bringing this knowledge to my new role.
I live with my husband and have two adult girls, who have now started their own paths in life, however we do spend a lot of time together. I also have just become a very proud grandmother to my lovely grandson, Archer.
I have two faithful golden retrievers who believe that I live with them, not the other way around. I love all types of craftwork, especially knitting, crocheting and cross stitches. I can usually be found with a book in my hand also, if I have any free time. Another hobby of mine is golf, however I do not seem to get any better.
Margaret - Teacher
I’ve worked as a teacher at Isabel Henderson for eight years.
I have varied experience in Early Childhood over the last thirty years both in Australia and
England where I was born.
I have two grown up children, a son living in Sydney and a daughter who lives here in Melbourne.
My hobbies crafts, knitting and crocheting and I also enjoy singing in a soul choir.
I love being part of an enthusiastic and friendly team at IHK and enjoy developing relationships with the children and families.
Georgie - Teacher
I have been teaching at Isabel Henderson Kindergarten for six years. I am originally from Tasmania, and I try to get back there as much as possible! When I moved to Melbourne in 2009, I studied Textile Design at RMIT and then I later did my Masters of Teaching at the University of Melbourne.
I love spending time outside, and most of my weekends are spent walking along the Merri Creek or checking on the bats near the Birrarung. Otherwise, I am cooking elaborate dinners for myself or rearranging my indoor plants.
One of my favourite things about working at IHK is getting to know the families in our amazing community. Since working here, I have been lucky enough to see many families return to the kinder and it’s been great to see siblings come and visit and hear about their adventures at school. I remember my own kindergarten teachers and I hope that we have a positive and meaningful impact on the children we teach. I have always lived locally, and I enjoy the strong sense of community IHK and North Fitzroy has, which I think has been especially important over the past few years.
I feel so lucky to be part of a team that cares for and supports each other. I am particularly proud of the inquiry projects I have been part of, including the magical world of under the Melting Tree and trying to communicate with the Lava Monsters. I find the children’s ability to merge scientific concepts with the imaginary surprising and very inspiring. I feel very grateful to be able to come to a workplace each day that is safe, welcoming, and most importantly, fun!
I love spending time outside, and most of my weekends are spent walking along the Merri Creek or checking on the bats near the Birrarung. Otherwise, I am cooking elaborate dinners for myself or rearranging my indoor plants.
One of my favourite things about working at IHK is getting to know the families in our amazing community. Since working here, I have been lucky enough to see many families return to the kinder and it’s been great to see siblings come and visit and hear about their adventures at school. I remember my own kindergarten teachers and I hope that we have a positive and meaningful impact on the children we teach. I have always lived locally, and I enjoy the strong sense of community IHK and North Fitzroy has, which I think has been especially important over the past few years.
I feel so lucky to be part of a team that cares for and supports each other. I am particularly proud of the inquiry projects I have been part of, including the magical world of under the Melting Tree and trying to communicate with the Lava Monsters. I find the children’s ability to merge scientific concepts with the imaginary surprising and very inspiring. I feel very grateful to be able to come to a workplace each day that is safe, welcoming, and most importantly, fun!
Kent - Teacher
Kia Ora (Hello), I’m originally from Whangarei, Aotearoa (New Zealand).
My interest in becoming an early childhood teacher was ignited from my time working at Te Papa Tongarewa (the National Museum of New Zealand), in Wellington, and Museum Victoria in Melbourne. At Melbourne Museum I ran outreach programs with a van full of dinosaur fossil casts, live bugs, and taxidermy Australian animals. I presented programs in Early Childhood Centres, kindergartens, and aged care facilities around Melbourne and regional Victoria.
I have completed a Diploma of Performing Arts in Invercargill, then a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Theatre in Wellington, and more recently a Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood) in Auckland.
I’ve been teaching since 2017 and have worked at IHK since 2019. I find this environment so special for children to learn in. As teachers and educators, it enables us to have flexibility in how we run a program and with such an established and large garden it offers so many possibilities as to where the children’s interests are going to land. The IHK team is one which is always discussing and reflecting. As teachers we never stop learning and developing our practice, and this space and these teams help enormously in being able to do just that.
I live west of Melbourne with my partner Charlie. In my personal time I enjoy gardening, cooking, hiking, and spending time with friends.
My interest in becoming an early childhood teacher was ignited from my time working at Te Papa Tongarewa (the National Museum of New Zealand), in Wellington, and Museum Victoria in Melbourne. At Melbourne Museum I ran outreach programs with a van full of dinosaur fossil casts, live bugs, and taxidermy Australian animals. I presented programs in Early Childhood Centres, kindergartens, and aged care facilities around Melbourne and regional Victoria.
I have completed a Diploma of Performing Arts in Invercargill, then a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Theatre in Wellington, and more recently a Graduate Diploma of Education (Early Childhood) in Auckland.
I’ve been teaching since 2017 and have worked at IHK since 2019. I find this environment so special for children to learn in. As teachers and educators, it enables us to have flexibility in how we run a program and with such an established and large garden it offers so many possibilities as to where the children’s interests are going to land. The IHK team is one which is always discussing and reflecting. As teachers we never stop learning and developing our practice, and this space and these teams help enormously in being able to do just that.
I live west of Melbourne with my partner Charlie. In my personal time I enjoy gardening, cooking, hiking, and spending time with friends.
Annur-Teacher
I’ve been teaching at Isabel Henderson Kindergarten since 2010, initially working as an inclusion support worker and an educator until the completion of my Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood in 2017, where I then began my teaching career. I am originally from Jakarta but have spent most of my childhood and adolescence in the US and Singapore. I moved to Melbourne in 2005 where I completed a BA in Communications and Art History and an MA in Publishing. I now call Melbourne home after living here for so long!
One of the things I love about working at IHK is our nature based philosophy and teaching. I’ve always been drawn to the garden and enjoy providing children with engaging learning experiences that incorporate nature with hands on exploration. I feel privileged to be able to work outdoors and to be able to instil an appreciation for nature in young children. I believe that introducing children to nature at an early age can foster lifelong connections and encourage responsible stewardship of the planet.
I live with my partner and my daughter, my dog and my cat. In my spare time I like to make hand drawn animations, illustrative comics, go bushwalking, knit jumpers and watch movies in the cinemas.
Bianca - Teacher
I was born in the Netherlands but spent most of my childhood in Southeast Asia, living in both Cambodia and Laos. I have fond memories of riding in a cyclo with my mum and sister, playing with friends from the International School and going for family day trips to the waterfalls. My family and I moved to Australia in 2005, and I completed my high schooling in on the Central Coast, NSW.
I have lived in Canberra for ten years, initially moving there to do a Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies and Anthropology at the Australian National University. To support myself whilst studying, I began work as an assistant educator and quickly feel in love the creative and invigorating environment of an early years setting. My partner and I moved to Melbourne in 2019 so that I could undertake a Master of Teaching in Early Childhood and the University of Melbourne.
As a new teacher I consider myself fortunate to have found a position at IHK, teaching alongside a team of dedicated educators who have made me feel supported and welcomed into the community. This year I have loved tuning into the Pelican children’s thinking, seeing how they’ve grappled with complex ideas, such as the infinite magnitude of outer space and the power of water. I’ve enjoyed how the children’s thinking has challenged my own and stimulated some great pedagogical conversations with my new colleagues.
kindergarten and primary school for the better part of three years. It was here I was able to explore children’s literature in both English and Spanish and discover the importance of incorporating a range of languages into the learning environment. This experience led me to enrolment in my master’s degree of Early Learning and Primary Teaching at Melbourne University.
My own interest in literature has followed me around the world. I am forever expanding my home library and since being home from Spain my collection of children’s books has steadily grown. I am a part of several book clubs and am always looking for new people to share my love for books. I look forward to getting to know the families at IHK.
I have lived in Canberra for ten years, initially moving there to do a Bachelor of Arts in Development Studies and Anthropology at the Australian National University. To support myself whilst studying, I began work as an assistant educator and quickly feel in love the creative and invigorating environment of an early years setting. My partner and I moved to Melbourne in 2019 so that I could undertake a Master of Teaching in Early Childhood and the University of Melbourne.
As a new teacher I consider myself fortunate to have found a position at IHK, teaching alongside a team of dedicated educators who have made me feel supported and welcomed into the community. This year I have loved tuning into the Pelican children’s thinking, seeing how they’ve grappled with complex ideas, such as the infinite magnitude of outer space and the power of water. I’ve enjoyed how the children’s thinking has challenged my own and stimulated some great pedagogical conversations with my new colleagues.
kindergarten and primary school for the better part of three years. It was here I was able to explore children’s literature in both English and Spanish and discover the importance of incorporating a range of languages into the learning environment. This experience led me to enrolment in my master’s degree of Early Learning and Primary Teaching at Melbourne University.
My own interest in literature has followed me around the world. I am forever expanding my home library and since being home from Spain my collection of children’s books has steadily grown. I am a part of several book clubs and am always looking for new people to share my love for books. I look forward to getting to know the families at IHK.
Tracy-Teacher
I started working at IHK in February 2023 and fell in love with this place immediately. As teachers, IHK enables us to be advocates for the importance of play-based learning and is dedicated to developing enriching, nature-based, play environments, which encourage each individual child to govern and be active participants in their own learning and development.
I arrived in Melbourne in 2019 to do my Master of Early Childhood Teaching at the University of Melbourne. Prior to that, I completed my Bachelor of Arts in the University of Hong Kong with a dual major in Japanese Studies and Art History. I also hold an MA in Asian Studies from UCLA.
Outside of work, you can find me covering K-pop dances, sometimes publicly. My other interests include JDM cars and musical theatres.
Sophie - Teacher
I am a kindergarten teacher who has been teaching for 30 years, in a variety of early childhood settings.
I have training in Montessori and Steiner philosophies of education. I love applying these eclectically to engage and enrich individual children’s learning.
I believe that my passion drives my enthusiasm, to advocate for children’s developmental needs and rights. Investing in high standards and deliberate and meaningful interactions with children will enable them to grow into well-functioning members of society.
In my time away from work I love gardening, cooking, nature walks along the coast, weigh training and the company of family and friends.
I have 3 wonderful girls and live locally.
Linh - Educator
I have been working at IHK since 2010. I live with my husband and 3 boys in the west of Melbourne.
My personal interests are gardening, pottery and photography. I am also enjoying learning how to sew. I have been fortunate to be supporting young children in such a nurturing, loving environment where they can learn and experience new challenges that help with their confidence while they play.
I feel so lucky to be a part of a wonderful team where we are supporting each other during a difficult time and working together to ensure all the member of our community are strong, safe and happy!
Jessa - Educator
I began working at IHK in 2022, I have over 9 years of experience working with children of all ages in many different roles.
I grew up in a remote area of regional Victoria on a small hobby farm with Errinundra National Park as my backyard. In winter we were blanketed in snow, and in summer the smell of bush fires was very familiar. My Mum is an artist and my Dad is a builder, between them they had all the creative outlets covered with endless resources for creating and tinkering.
I feel so lucky to be able to live in the city and still work somewhere that feels like home, allowing me to share all the knowledge I have gained through my unique experiences and support children to feel similar connections to the land.
Ildiko - Educator
My main passions are for art and all forms of creative expressions. I love nature, creating and respecting the environment and every person and creature in it. I am a gold and silversmith as well as an artist.
I have studied and worked in Melbourne and Germany. I have a daughter who is now 22 years old. When she started school, I begun my journey as a kindergarten educator. This has now evolved into another passion, which is teaching and learning.
Working at IHK has been an amazing experience with an amazing team and we continue to be drawn together as a community. We value every child’s uniqueness through their connection with nature.
Katherine - Educator
I began working at IHK in 2020 in an inclusion support role. I have really enjoying working with an amazing team of educators that all have unique and diverse talents and in this wonderful natural environment.
I have worked in early childhood education for the past 27 years and have seen many changes, being actively involved in developing and implementing quality improvement plans for rating and assessments.
Prior to starting work at IHK I had been in a coordinating role in a long day care setting, managing a team of 20 staff and working with families and children from ages 6mths to 5yrs. I have been involved in assessment for learning research projects, leadership, and coaching programs.
I have a passion for supporting inclusive practice for families and children, advocating for the rights of the child and for their voice to be heard and believing families are always the first educator for their child.
I also love children’s literature, having an extensive library at home even though my daughter is 20years old and has moved out of home with friends this year.
I live with my partner, Justin, and am a carer for my father who also lives with us and our two cats.
I look forward to getting to know you all better through your time at IHK.
I have worked in early childhood education for the past 27 years and have seen many changes, being actively involved in developing and implementing quality improvement plans for rating and assessments.
Prior to starting work at IHK I had been in a coordinating role in a long day care setting, managing a team of 20 staff and working with families and children from ages 6mths to 5yrs. I have been involved in assessment for learning research projects, leadership, and coaching programs.
I have a passion for supporting inclusive practice for families and children, advocating for the rights of the child and for their voice to be heard and believing families are always the first educator for their child.
I also love children’s literature, having an extensive library at home even though my daughter is 20years old and has moved out of home with friends this year.
I live with my partner, Justin, and am a carer for my father who also lives with us and our two cats.
I look forward to getting to know you all better through your time at IHK.
Ezgi - Educator
I've been in the early childhood field for almost 5 years in total; some back in Turkey, and some here, in Australia. After working as a social worker, I’ve completed a diploma in Early Childhood Education. Some of my biggest passions are learning about educational neuroscience, emotional regulation in early years, the connection between sensory processing and behaviour, and brain development. I love working with children and I cannot think of anything else that brings as much joy and meaning into my work life.
I believe that the first and main component of working with children is connection. without connection, there will be no feeling of trust and safety, and therefore there will be no learning. Safety is paramount and connecting with a child and assuring that they feel safe is the "start" of any learning. I see myself as a co-learner with children and implement this approach at all times, especially in order to solve problems collaboratively. My motto is "children do well if they can.’’
I love travelling and I've been all over Europe and Cuba. Actually, I spent 2 months in Cuba, It was amazing! I love learning new things and I'm really interested in occupational therapy, it might be my next degree!
I believe that the first and main component of working with children is connection. without connection, there will be no feeling of trust and safety, and therefore there will be no learning. Safety is paramount and connecting with a child and assuring that they feel safe is the "start" of any learning. I see myself as a co-learner with children and implement this approach at all times, especially in order to solve problems collaboratively. My motto is "children do well if they can.’’
I love travelling and I've been all over Europe and Cuba. Actually, I spent 2 months in Cuba, It was amazing! I love learning new things and I'm really interested in occupational therapy, it might be my next degree!
Sehaj - Educator
Hi all! I am Sehaj (pronounced: Say-Hedge) the new Early Childhood Educator in the Budgie's room. I have a passion for education and view the children as capable learners.
I love facilitating essential learning and care while letting the students lead with their interests and imagination. I am familiar with major theories of education and aim to support the children academically, emotionally, and socially.
I bring with me my imagination, dedication, creativity, and the desire to positively influence the children.
My personal interests are art, science, and hands on activities. My favourite flavour of cake is lemon.
