Our Team
At Ness Reserve we have an experienced, passionate team of Teachers and Educators who believe that children learn best through play and who work to create an amazing educational kinder program.
Learn more about our incredible team at Ness below.
Lisa Kotlarewski
4 year old Group Teacher
I have been teaching sessional kindergarten for the past 20 years and am so excited to have joined the Ness Pre-School staffing team. I love working with pre-school age children and learning about their understanding of the world. It is a privilege to be able to share their early years education and observe their development throughout the kinder year. Within the kindergarten program I am passionate about promoting positive relationships and a strong sense of belonging for both children and families. I love that everyday brings unexpected learning and enjoy exploring the outdoors with the kinder children.
I have a particular passion for gardening and enjoy running a kitchen garden program which encourages children to cook using the produce we grow in our kinder garden! I also enjoy developing children’s appreciation of music and love of literacy as we read stories, sing songs and use puppets and musical instruments. I am married with two children, who are now both in High School. We live on a small hobby farm with a pet dog and cat and have some chickens, sheep and cows. I enjoy running, hiking, reading and working in the veggie garden and am very grateful to be part of the Ness Reserve Pre-School community.
Melissa McGrath
3 year old Group Teacher
I have worked in many varied settings across my 25 plus years of teaching though my favourite place to teach has always been in sessional preschool. I have a passion for supporting all children to engage in deep, meaningful play developing their sense of agency and interactions with others. I am especially drawn to our youngest members of the preschool and the wonder they have in the world around them.
My strong play-based philosophy fosters my belief that play is the backbone to all children's learning. Through play they learn about themselves, their identities, their worlds, culture and others. I love watching as they become increasingly emotionally and socially competent and continue to develop the skills to wonder, question, explore and discover through hands-on, open-ended experiences. I believe teacher, families and community connections create vital partnerships in our children’s holistic development. I value education in a quality service such as Ness Reserve Preschool where experienced teachers and educators provide the perfect safe, nurturing, environment for all children to thrive, learn and grow towards productive, rewarding and fulfilling lives.
Outside of kinder I also share my passion for teaching with our newest teachers as a sessional academic teacher. I also enjoy weekends away with family and friends and long walks on the beach with my husband, two teenage children and our cheeky Jack Russell.
Stacey Dabrowski
4 year old Group Educator
I have worked at Ness from when I was on relieving staff and studying in 2015. I have been an at Ness since the beginning of 2017. I love meeting with, talking to, and getting to know all the children, families, siblings, and extended families. I get great enjoyment out of seeing the children progress in their development, and seeing the joy on the families’ faces when they see their children’s achievements!
If you love your job, it’s not work, and that definitely relates to me in my job. Every day is unique and comes with its different accomplishments and challenges, but there will no doubt always be children rushing in to tell you all about what they have been doing! I like that these chats will also come about with past and present families when I’m out and about in our community.
I have two beautiful children, Jamie and Jasmin, and I love spending time with them. I also enjoy walking our dog, Pippa.
Andrea Tyler
4 year old Group Educator
Thank you to all the staff and families that have welcomed me into the ‘Ness Community’.
I have previously worked in long day care before having my own family of the 3 boys. I then worked at Diamond Creek East Kinder for 8 years as a co-educator (prior to its closing late in 2019).
I am so grateful to be able to continue working with pre-school children. I love that each day is full of wonder, adventure and learning that happens through play.
When at home I have 3 teenage sons who keep me busy on the weekends playing footy, basketball and cricket. In my spare time I enjoy reading, scrapbooking and spending time with friends on camping trips.
Anne Cutler
3 year old Group Educator
I have worked in many different industries/professions over the last 25 years but my passion for early childhood education and care, began after my son was born. I had to place my son in childcare as many parents do and seeing how difficult the transition was from home to childcare first hand, was so tough to have to go through day after day. Not only devastating for my son, but also myself. It was then that I thought I may be able to help in this profession. My aim was to try to make this initial transition and ongoing care as smooth and enjoyable as possible for both the child and the families involved.
I started in childcare whilst studying my diploma and then once qualified I was able to gain a position in a sessional Kindergarten and have never looked back. I believe that I have made a difference in many lives and helped many little people find their feet and thrive in our environment.
My knowledge is getting deeper every year and my passion to learn and evolve is as strong as ever. Ways of teaching/talking and being wigth the children is an evolutionary process and to grow with that will make me a better educator as the years continue. I will thrive to be the best I can be and hope that I can bring out the best in every little soul that comes through my kindergarten door.
My passion to learn is my drive to find every way possible to help all children feel safe, secure and supported every day that they are in my care.