Our Teachers
Karen Lipsett
My name is Karen Lipsett. I have been very fortunate to have been appointed as the teacher for Green Group for 2020. I cannot wait to join the AMAZING team of teachers and educators at Bittern Preschool. To be part of your community, will be inspirational and life changing for me.
I hold a Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood) and a Graduate Diploma in Education (Special Education). Prior to having my children, I taught in preschools in Foster, Berwick and Somers. I was lucky enough to have 7 (unpaid) years of maternity leave. In this time, my own children attended Balnarring Preschool. Kyle and Mikayla went on to complete all of their primary schooling at Balnarring Primary School.
After maternity leave and whilst Mikayla was attending preschool, I resumed my teaching career. I taught for one wonderful year at Waterfall Gully Preschool in Rosebud and then for two magical years as the three year old teacher at Balnarring.
During this time, I was also an Integration Aide at St. Joseph’s Primary School in Crib Point. In 2011, with a bittersweet farewell to all at Balnarring Preschool, I embarked on primary teaching at St. Jo’s. I completed 7 years of classroom teaching in the junior school and in 2017, undertook student wellbeing also. I thoroughly enjoyed this role. In 2018, I re-joined the team at Balnarring Preschool, as I realised my true passion for teaching was in the Early Childhood sector. For the last two years I have been employed by the Committee as Co-Educator for the Djeembana, four year old group, working closely alongside the formidable Karen Anderson and Lisa Darling. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning about Indigenous perspectives in Early Childhood and watching this come alive in their weekly beach/bush kinder sessions.
Onto the personal stuff … I am a single Mum. My son Kyle is 19 and my daughter Mikayla is 16. I love going to the beach with our little dog (Maggie) and watching Mikayla surf. I love bush “rambling”, singing (in the shower) and going to the movies. My other hobby is sleeping-in. (Now that my children are older!) We holiday in Yanakie as a family and surf at Waratah bay. We LOVE op-shopping! I loosely barrack for Collingwood. (Did you know our First People’s invented football? It is called Marngrook!) My son Kyle attends Victoria University and is studying Criminology. He is a keen gamer and I am very much enjoying teaching him to drive. In 2020, Mikayla is undertaking VCAL at Flinders College. Her long term career goal is to join the Victoria Police. She is also very creative in LOTS of ways. Mikayla and I are very much interested in alternative medicine and healing sciences. In 2018, I became a qualified Reiki Practitioner of Usui and Seichim Reiki and this year, I also completed my Masters in Reiki.
I am looking forward to working with you all, especially your beautiful children! I look forward to celebrating their many successes with them and supporting them in the new challenges they experience during their time in Green Group. Karen Lipsett xx
Caroline Tearle
Hello!
My name is Caroline, I love kinder and I have had the pleasure of working with children all my working life. I also enjoy meeting new people and kinder gives me this opportunity.
I have lived in Crib Point all my life and enjoyed my childhood in this friendly environment.
Kinder is a wonderful time to see your children grow and learn new skills in a friendly environment where they have fun. I hope you enjoy your time at Kinder just as much as we enjoy teaching your child.
Jacinta McGill
Hello my name is Jacinta.
This year I will be working in the Blue group on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
I am delighted to be working alongside such a wonderful team of educators and also getting to know a new community of children and families. Having lived and worked on the Mornington Peninsula for 20 years I understand the unique lifestyle and qualities our area has to offer!
I obtained a Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood (Monash University) in 2014. The last four years I have been a Preschool Teacher for the City of Casey. Previously I worked for 8 years as a Diploma trained assistant at a kindergarten in Frankston South, while completing my studies.
I have three passions in life: children, sport and the beach. As a parent I have been actively involved in all of our children’s learning activities, including surf lifesaving, athletics, football and netball.
Early childhood learning is very important to me. Having four Children myself (three boys and a girl), I have experienced and witnessed first hand benefits as a teacher and a parent to how Preschool can enhance your child’s growth and wellbeing.
Katie Kunne
Hello my name is Katie
I was lucky enough to have started at Bittern Preschool in 2019 as an educator with the 4 year olds. I have really enjoyed getting to know the children and their families this year.
I live with my husband, three children (two of which attended Bittern Preschool) and our various pets in Crib point.
This year in addition to working with the 4’s, I will be running the 3 year old program.
I am so looking forward to meeting all of our new families, and creating a play based program that centres around your child’s interest, building on their confidence as communicators, supporting imagination, curiosity, enthusiasm and persistence.
Annelise Calderwood