Dayna Mookhoek: Italian Language, Hand Writing
Dayna studied Italian for a year whilst living in Rome with an Italian family. Following the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), Dayna reached a B2 level of proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing, which is deemed as upper intermediate. Bringing her own materials from studying in Rome, along with Italian texts and resources from her experiences, Dayna makes a varied and realistic environment for learning Italian.
Dayna is also proficient in Hand Writing techniques and instruction and enjoys help shape and assist those students requiring explicit instruction and formation of the written word.
Dayna takes a very active role in her own learning and has developed a ground-up way of teaching Italian that ensures students build on their progress and can broaden out from a strong foundation. With a strong belief in patience, listening and implementing feedback, Dayna strives to create a comfortable and encouraging learning experience for students.
Outside of tutoring Dayna enjoys spending time outdoors, riding her bike, playing with her family pets and adding to her already extensive list of movies to watch with her housemates.
Carley Young
Secondary Science
Upper Primary Numeracy
Carley is currently teaching senior VCE Science at Damascus College, and is also employed as a Laboratory Technician setting up science pracs for classes. Carley has a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Physics, as well as a Master of Teaching.
Carley enjoys playing games in her teaching, providing hands-on experiences, and very much enjoys the one-on-one experience of tutoring students.
Carley loves animals and keeping fit and hopes to assist all of those who take part in her engaging lessons.
Bryony Donald
Primary Maths and English
Sounds-Write
Bryony graduated from Ballarat Clarendon College in 2017, having completed a Diploma in Fashion & Sustainability, dabbling in Nursing, and is currently studying counselling at Torrens University. Bryony is also Sounds-Write trained. She has been working with children and young adults in both care and educational settings for over six years. Alongside counselling, Bryony works in Education Support in primary schools as well as having a free-lance art business.
Outside of work, Bryony loves to paint, sew and spend time with family and friends.
Bryony greatly enjoys assisting children and helping them to reach their full potential. She believes that everyone has a different learning style, and loves that the tutoring setting allows space to find which style suits each person best - allowing everyone to flourish.
Jessica Micallef
Generalist Teacher Prep - 6
Sounds-Write
Jess joins Shine Learning as a fully qualified and registered generalist teacher (primary years) who has been teaching for 10 years. Jess currently teaches at Buninyong Primary School and enjoys connecting with her students and helping them continue to shine through their learning journey. When Jess isn’t working, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and going on adventures.
Photo and Bio coming soon, for our new 2024 Staff Members
Amelia Plier - Hand Writing Specialist and Sounds-Write
Thomas Playsted - online Secondary Maths
Emily Lindsay
Generalist Teacher - upper Primary and Secondary Levels
Literacy, Japanese.
Emily is very passionate about education and making the learning experience meaningful for students. Emily enjoys tutoring because of how wonderful seeing students grow their understanding of concepts, achieving their goals and surprising themselves is.
Emily has a special interest in Literacy, Humanities and Primary level Japanese.She is currently in her 5th year as a Teacher, with most of her experience being in the secondary setting. Her favourite go-to hobbies are gardening, pilates and nature walks with her dog. Emily’s current personal learning focus includes piano and sewing.
Maria Demeye
Primary Maths, English, Reading & Writing
Sounds-Write
Maria has been a classroom teacher for 27 years and loves helping students reach their potential. She strives to build confidence, understanding and independence by patiently encouraging an ‘I can do it’ attitude while delivering adaptive and interesting lessons.
Maria loves getting to know her students and helping them experience success and she enjoys explaining ideas in different ways to suit each student’s learning style. She believes that every child can thrive given the right environment and appropriate, supported challenges.
After work, Maria enjoys cooking with her family, bushwalking, reading, gardening and visiting the beach and zoo.
Beck Findlay
General Maths and Literacy - Prep to Year 10
Beck has been been employed as an LSO (Learning Support Officer) in Primary School settings for over 16 years.
Beck enjoys helping students to discover and enhance their strengths.
Having worked as LSO she understands the diverse learning needs of students and has developed numerous strategies to guide and support students throughout their learning journeys.
Beck’s passion for and understanding of Maths allows her to support students from the basics through to extending students as they grow in their confidence and understanding of maths concepts and content.
When she is not working Beck loves to spend time with her family. She can be often found at various sporting events, especially local football and netball games.
Deirdre O'Donnell
Maths Specialist
Dee is from Ireland and moved to Ballarat just over 3 years ago. She is currently studying a Maters of Teaching at Federation University. Prior to this, she has taught English as a Second Language in Ireland, France and Ecuador. She also worked as a classroom teacher at a Primary School in London for three years.
As an educator, she aspires to create fun, engaging and safe learning environments where students develop confidence and a love of learning.
In her spare time, Dee enjoys spending time with her family, walking her dog, watching baking shows, travelling, running and playing Gaelic Football.
Andrew Toan
General Maths and Literacy - Prep to Year 10
Sounds-Write
Andrew is a primary school teacher with 7 years of experience across all primary year levels. Throughout his teaching career, Andrew has developed a passion for mathematics, writing, and the general primary curriculum. He finds great joy in teaching students by finding creative ways to engage their interests and make learning fun. Andrew encourages them to express their creativity in their work and to teach his students that mistakes in their studies are a fantastic learning opportunity.
Outside of the classroom, Andrew enjoys staying active and participating in various sports such as football and running. He also has a strong interest in gaming and enjoys playing his PS5 in his free time. Through his interests, Andrew is always looking for new and innovative ways to incorporate these into his lessons and because of this, he has developed strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills which he also brings into his sessions to support the students in their learning.
As a teacher, Andrew strives to create a learning environment that is supportive, inclusive, fun and engaging for all students. Andrew is committed to providing his students with the best possible education and empowering them to reach their full potential.
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