Creating Wonder

Jenny Aitken has extensive experience teaching in Early Childhood Tertiary settings designed to equip preservice teachers and educators with the knowledge and expertise essential for success in early childhood settings. She completed the Master of Education and the required course work for the Doctor of Education at Victoria University whilst employed as a Lecturer in the Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood.

Throughout her career Jenny’s research interest has revolved around the professional relationships which exist between parents, teachers and children. Her true ongoing passion lies in translating state and national curriculum into engaging and meaningful experiences in an effort to inspire educators’ creativity in their work with young children.

Dr Jan Hunt is a highly experienced educator with extensive experience in the early childhood field. She began her teaching journey in early childhood settings where she was dedicated to fostering the growth and development of young learners. Her passion for nurturing curiosity, and creativity led to her interest in science education in early childhood programs while emphasising the critical role of children's play in learning. Jan has also had many years of experience teaching in the TAFE and higher education sectors, equipping preservice teachers with practical skills and knowledge essential for success in the early childhood field. She completed a doctorate focusing on mentoring in preservice teacher education, where she researched effective strategies to support novice teachers in their professional journeys.

Throughout her career, Jan has been an advocate for continuous professional development and reflective practice, believing that mentoring is crucial in shaping the next generation of educators. She is excited to share her knowledge and experiences through her writing, aiming to inspire educators and enhance the quality of teaching and learning in early childhood settings.

Elizabeth Roy was an Early Childhood TAFE teacher at Victoria University for many years. Her areas of expertise include early childhood development, science, nutrition, safe food handling and play-based curriculum theory and design. She also facilitated professional development for TAFE teachers and early childhood educators. Elizabeth is an experienced author who first published in 1986 and has co-authored thirteen health & human development and early childhood text books.

Bess Sajfar is a sessional lecturer in Early Childhood. Her areas of expertise include early childhood mathematics, science, sustainability, nature pedagogy, the arts and play based curriculum theory and design. Bess started her career in the corporate world, but realised that her passion was teaching. Bess has worked in various educational settings from kindergarten, primary, vocational & tertiary education. She holds a Master’s degree in education and is currently undertaking her PhD, focusing on STEM learning in outdoor spaces in early childhood education.

In 2015 Bess was awarded an Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching ‘Citation for Outstanding Contributions to inspiring early childhood students in science with the wonder of nature, through integrated and engaging curriculum teaching’. She has co-authored a science teaching resource book, which subsequently was shortlisted and won highly commended primary teaching resource for the Australian Educational Publishing Awards in 2013.