Linda Watson - 4 Year Old Teacher Red Group

Hi, my name is Linda Watson and I joined the teaching team at Oban PreSchool in 2013.

I teach the four year old Red group and am the Lead Educator for the centre staff.

I am a ‘ local’, having lived in the local area for 20 years and in Ringwood North for the past 10 years. I have two sons, both attend Yarra Valley. In my spare time I love holidays with my family, walking, reading and an ongoing project is tracing my family tree.

I have a Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood) which I obtained at The University of Melbourne in 1993. Throughout my career I have had the opportunity to be centre director at sessional preschool, teach both 3 and 4 year old classes at sessional Preschool, manage large Early Learning Centres and teach funded kindergarten programs in long day care. This wide variety of experience has helped me to ensure that I have kept up with current practice and have remained enthusiastic about my work.

As a teacher, I answer a child’s question with a question…what do you think? How could we find out? What do you already know? And so on. This sets the scene for the opportunity to investigate and find out, work it out and experiment with possible answers. I endeavour to help children become all that they can be and acknowledge the fact that we all have different interests, strength, learning styles and skills. 

For as long as I can remember I was ‘going to be a kindergarten teacher. How lucky I am to continue to have the opportunity to be involved with so many wonderful families and so many young and enthusiastic children – it’s not only my job but also a huge part of who I am.

Rebecca Woodrow - 4 Year Old Assistant Teacher Red Group

Hi, my name is Rebecca and I’ve joined Oban Preschool in 2013. I’m following my passion in early childhood education after completing a Certificate III in Childrens Services. It’s a very rewarding experience getting to know the 4 year old group children and families.

I believe it’s important for children to have a feeling of belonging, laugh, make friends and gain confidence. It's great to see the conversations and imaginative play children have.

I love spending time with my family and friends, going to the beach and listening to music. Being one of 5 children and having 15 nieces and nephews, family get togethers are always fun and noisy.

Kelly Watson- 4 Year Old Teacher Blue Group

Hello! My name is Kelly Watson and I will be teaching the four year old Blue Group at Oban Preschool in 2017.

I love working with children and helping them grow and learn. I have been a Primary School teacher for many years and was inspired to extend my skills and become a pre-school teacher when my children attended Kindergarten.  I completed my Post-Graduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood) in 2016 and I am very excited to start on this new journey at Oban Preschool. 

Childhood is a time for wonder, creativity and learning. I believe that all children have something worthwhile to contribute and that children learn best when feel valued and that they belong. It is really important to me to cultivate a strong connection between home and kinder. I aim to provide a range of meaningful and enjoyable play based opportunities for children that build the children’s self-confidence and support all areas of their development. 

I have two children of my own - a son in Year 5 this year, and a daughter in Year 2. I love spending time with my family – especially going away in our caravan. I also love music, cooking and gardening and when I have free time I like to read, play sport as well as the piano and guitar. I love sharing these experiences with the children I teach. 

Jacqui Chan - 4 Year Old Assistant Teacher Blue Group

Hi, my name is Jacqui Chan and I have joined the teaching team this year, working with the Blue Group. I have a Certificate III in Children's Services, and have been working in preschools for over twenty years.   

I love watching the children grow and gain confidence, independence and discover and learn new things. I believe that children deserve respect and have a safe comfortable environment to enjoy and explore.  

I love spending time with my son and husband, family and friends. I enjoy reading (when I get the chance).

Shannon Leitch - 3 Year Old Teacher Yellow Group  

Hi, my name is Shannon and I am the three year old teacher here at Oban Preschool. I have a Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood) and a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) and I joined the Oban teaching team in 2013. Oban holds a special place in my heart as my three children all attended both the three year old and four year old kinder programs here.

I am very passionate about Early Childhood education and I have been fortunate enough to experience teaching both here and overseas. I believe that children learn through their play and it is our role as educators to facilitate that learning. It is such a privilege to be a part of their development as little people. I love singing with the children (just so you know I am no singer but what I lack in skill I more than make up for in enthusiasm), I love movement and dance (now, I am a bit of a groover!) and I love telling a story (character voices and all!) so music, movement and literature are never far from my mind when planning the three year old program, along with the needs and interests of the children and their families. 

When I am not teaching, I love dancing, listening to music (while dancing in my head) and reading, but most of all I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.

Tanya Whalan - 3 Year Old Assistant Teacher Yellow Group

Hi my name is Tanya and I am very excited to be part of the team. I have a Certificate III in Children's Services and have worked as a 3yr old assistant since 2007 in Boronia. I also work at an occasional care centre in Blackburn. I find working with young children very rewarding, watching them grow in confidence, gain independence and develop new skills whilst having fun. 

I enjoy playing netball, camping, watching movies and a variety of sports, but most of all I love spending time with my three daughters, family and friends.