Our Staff

Kim Metzler

Teacher in Charge & Koala Group Teacher

I have been a kindergarten teacher since 1992 and have worked in a variety of settings including session based kindergarten, long day kindergarten and child care. I came to Oakhill in October 2006 to cover a three month maternity leave position and immediately felt this was a place where I would like to stay, ten years later I am still happily here! In 2008 I became Teacher-In-Charge which involves me undertaking administrative duties. I also teach the Koala Group. At Oakhill, we look

closely at the strengths of each child and use these strengths to support their educational journey. Each year it’s amazing to observe each child exploring their new environment, developing a sense of self in their new group and enjoying the companionship and friendships of peers. My goals for 2016 will be to ensure that I lead our Oakhill team toward continuous improvement to ensure we maintain our high standards.

Emily Fotiou

Possum Group Teacher

I have been a kindergarten teacher since 2000 completing my Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies in 1999 at Melbourne University. I then completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Studies- Early Intervention in 2001, the same year I started teaching at Oakhill Kindergarten. I also worked for a relief agency which was a wonderful experience as I was able to work at many centres and gain knowledge of different ways of doing things. As a teacher, I am always learning and believe that it is important for me to continue participating in various professional development to keep up with our ever changing society and the many changes in our profession. I have a great interest in children with additional needs making sure they are included and are valued in the group creating that sense of belonging.

Belinda Rinaldo

Kangaroo Group Teacher

Possum Group Teacher

I have been teaching since 2006 and have been teaching at Oakhill Kindergarten since 2009. I completed my Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood at RMIT and prior to this, I also completed my Bachelor of Media Studies at Latrobe University. After realising journalism was not the path I wanted to pursue, I decided to do my teaching degree instead. From my first day at Oakhill I have been impressed with the educators’ dedication, hard work and friendliness. Oakhill is a great place with fantastic staff and lovely families and children. I am always keen to learn new things and continue to improve my practice. Kinder is such a special time in a child’s life and I feel privileged to be a part of that journey.

Elizabeth Charles

Kookaburra Group Teacher

I commenced teaching in 1990 and have 26 years experience working in sessional & extended hours Kindergarten as well as Long Day Care and Primary School settings. I have taught in early childhood centres in Canberra, Sydney, Nowra andMelbourne and have experience working with both 3 & 4 year old Kindergarten groups as well as a large number of children with special or additional needs and children with refugee & CALD backgrounds. I re-joined the team at Oakhill in 2011, teaching part time after many years of working full time. I have always enjoyed working with children and love facilitating and helping children develop and learn. I also enjoy working with our families.

Amanda McAuliffe

Kangaroo Group Co-Educator

After completing my Diploma of Children’s Service in 2000, I have worked in a variety of positions within Early Childhood Education. These ranged from group leader, director, to senior management positions. On top of these roles, I also worked in personal care for several years with children with additional needs. I am very passionate about providing a learning environment which allows for the inclusion of all children and extending each child to their full potential. Whilst on maternity leave I also completed my Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

I have two of my own children, both of whom attended Oakhill in their kinder year. I joined the dedicated team here at Oakhill in 2011 and my experience with Oakhill both as a parent and a staff member has been nothing short of amazing.

Jill Taylor

Possum Group Co-educator

Kookaburra Group Co-educator

Hi I'm Jill. I have been at Oakhill since 2007. I am co-educator in the Possum and Kookaburra groups.

My goal is to work in partnership with our families to provide a rich, meaningful and inclusive learning environment that allows each child to become their best self. I continually seek ways to build on my professional knowledge, respecting diversity and cultural differences. Thus creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for the children, their families and the wider community.

Come to Oakhill - it's a fun place to be.

Rebecca Taylor

Kookaburra Group Co-Educator

My relationship with Oakhill kinder began 10 years ago as a parent and committee member. My three children attended Oakhill and I was a committee member for the first three of five years I had children enrolled. When my youngest started school in 2012 I was invited to join the Oakhill team as an additional co-educator. Lucky me! In 2014 the permanent position of kookaburra co-educator became available and I jumped at the opportunity! I have worked in a number of industries in my nearly 30 year work life.I love to be outdoors which gives me a great appreciation of the natural world and the benefits and importance of outside play. I have worked in a foundations room as learning support which has given me an insight into the realities of the modern classroom.

Maria Gaggiano

Koala Group Co-Educator

I began in the Early Childhood field in 1994. While working towards my diploma, I was employed as an Integration Aid : a most humbling experience. I have been at Oakhill since 2002, previously as an Integration Aid and now as a Co-educator. My passion is each child’s emotional well being: supporting their self esteem. Kinder is a “one of a kind” experience, and I am proud to be part of each child’s unique learning. Being an educator and past parent at Oakhill has enabled me to experience both sides of the journey with you our families. My three girls are aged 12, 10 and 5. Two of them having attended at Oakhill, thrived in their kinder environment. In 2016 I look forward to implementing my recent updated training of The Early Years Learning Framework, and developing a green thumb in our veggie patch.