Grove Collective Contributors
Here at The Grove Academy, we have a collection of early childhood experts giving you their thoughts, ideas, and tips to guide you on your parenting journey.
Meet them below!
Grove Contributors
Jackie Bradford
Community Manager
Jackie Bradford
Community Manager
As the Community Relationship Manager at TGA, I am passionate about giving back to our local community i.e., you - our parents and families. I’ve been in the early childhood industry since 2010, hold a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care and am the mum of two gorgeous girls. Using my knowledge, experience, and passion for child development, I have been writing for the Grove Collective to help other families navigate the tumultuous baby, toddler, and preschool years. My aim is to empower others, with knowledge from industry experts, to be confident in their parenting. Happy reading!
Tiana Drivalas
Area Manager
Tiana Drivalas
Area Manager
Hi I’m Tiana! My role at The Grove Academy is the Area Manager for the South-west Region, however my passion for early education started over 10 years ago and has evolved into my career today.
I believe in providing children with skills that they can use throughout life in all aspects of their development. My family is the driving force in all that I do and this is reflected in my teaching philosophy and moral.
I look forward to writing for the Grove Collective and sharing articles about what I feel is vital to children’s development.
Rebecca Lewis
Speech Pathologist
Rebecca Lewis
Speech Pathologist
I have been a Speech Pathologist for 8 ½ years, I trained in NZ, and came over to Australia for this awesome job. I have my Bachelor of Speech Language Pathology (hons) and Master of Science. I am looking forward to sharing my knowledge and passion for Speech Pathology!
Ben Mason
Speech Pathologist
Ben Mason
Speech Pathologist
Hi, my name is Ben and I have been working with children and parents to provide speech therapy for five years. I am especially interested in supporting children with their language and play development. I look forward to sharing some everyday ideas to strengthen your child’s communication skills!
Sarah Nash
Speech Pathologist
Sarah Nash
Speech Pathologist
It is exciting for me to share my passion for developing children’s communication with the children, families and staff at the Grove Academy’s services. With over 20 years of experience as a Speech Pathologist working in Australia and the United Kingdom, I bring an innovative approach to supporting children with language and communication needs through early education.
Mary Petrou
Learning and Innovation Manager
Mary Petrou
Learning and Innovation Manager
As the Learning and Innovation Manager for The Grove Academy, I am passionate about children’s learning and development and the role educators play throughout the early years. My aim is to challenge the notion that early education is just “babysitting” by implementing diverse and child centric experiences within all Grove campuses.
Since beginning in the early childhood sector in 2007 and studying a Bachelor of Early Childhood Teaching, I have broadened my knowledge and understanding of holistic child development and the strategies required to set the foundations for growth and independence.
I am excited to share my ideas, knowledge and tips to our Grove community through The Grove Collective blog.
Cheree Powell
Centre Support
Cheree Powell
Centre Support
Hi, I am Cheree and I am so excited to be contributing to Grove Collective. I hold an Early Childhood Teaching degree and have been in the industry for 18 years and for the last 9 years, I have been lucky enough to work at the Grove in a number of roles. I have a passion for social justice and inclusion and seeing children develop during the first five years, is the most rewarding aspect of my role. With this experience and previous knowledge, I thought I was well prepared for motherhood but when my two boys came along, I spent hours scrolling and looking for advice and information for a range of reasons and to feel like I wasn’t alone in what our family was facing. I look forward to being able to share my knowledge and experience so you too feel supported in your role as parents.
Guest Contributors
Katherine Taylor
The Sleeping Co
Katherine Taylor
The Sleeping Co
A gentle baby and toddler sleep consultant, registered nurse and fellow parent, passionate about simplifying how we as busy and modern parents, improve and learn about baby sleep. I'm here to guide you with supportive strategies, nurturing connection and leaving you feeling empowered, educated and confident.
Krista Thomas
Baby Sleep School
Krista Thomas
Baby Sleep School
Krista is a certified Baby Sleep consultant and Mum, and is passionate about improving sleep for babies and their parents! Krista has worked with thousands of clients and babies ranging between 0-3 years old, all with varying sleep challenges. After enduring months of sleep deprivation with her own child, Krista became passionate about furthering her education in the infant sleep space, and helping parents to feel empowered to make sleep changes in a way that matches the temperament of the child, and aligns with the family’s chosen parenting style. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits all approach, which is why Krista has dedicated her career to supporting families through Baby Sleep School.
Laura Fuller
Speech Pathologist
Laura Fuller
Speech Pathologist
I have been a Speech Pathologist for 8 ½ years, I trained in NZ, and came over to Australia for this awesome job. I have my Bachelor of Speech Language Pathology (hons) and Master of Science. I am looking forward to sharing my knowledge and passion for Speech Pathology!
Grove Ambassadors
Maria Boulatsakos
Prana Kids Yoga
Maria Boulatsakos
Prana Kids Yoga
Maria is a passionate kids yoga teacher who embodies health and wellness of mind, body and spirit. As an educator for over 12 years, she has incorporated mindfulness, yoga and alternative engaging and creative methods into her teaching practice to meet the diverse needs of her students. She believes our young people have the absolute right to learn tools to develop healthy lifelong habits and to understand the importance and nourishing power of self-care. She has collaborated with TGA to build a yoga program for our educators and children; their little bodies and big hearts are at the perfect age to build and grow these habits now. The new mindfulness program will help your children to not only build strength and flexibility but regulate their emotions and learn breathing techniques. “The intention of Prana Kids Yoga birthed from following my passion to teach our next generation a positive and healthy mindset through creative and imaginative poses, fun and interactive yoga games and learning through play”.
Dr. Mariam Chaalan
@ask.the.dr
Dr. Mariam Chaalan
@ask.the.dr
Dr. Mariam Chaalan is a family doctor, clinical researcher and a devoted mother to twin boys. She actively works to improve health literacy through her presence on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where she can be found at @ask.the.dr. She collaborates with @pinkelephantssupport to provide support and guidance to parents navigating the challenging journey of miscarriage and infertility, a topic that holds a special place in her heart.
Her dedication to advocacy extends beyond social media. Dr. Mariam represented the Medical Women's Society at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and has contributed articles to respected publications like the SMH and Mamamia. She is a regular guest on The Project and offers health, leadership, and lifestyle advice to prominent companies and schools.
As a co-founder of Taste Bubs, Dr. Mariam is actively involved in Australia's first early allergen introduction product. With a focus on reducing allergies in children, she strives to make a difference in the lives of families across the country.
Laura Matthews
Wildhood Bush Kindy
Laura Matthews
Wildhood Bush Kind
Hi, my name is Laura and I am the Director and Forest Leader of Wildhood Bush Kindy. Wildhood Bush Kindy is passionate about delivering programs that bring children back to nature through nature immersion and bush play sessions. Our programs are delivered to children in wild spaces, in every season and in rain or shine. We want to ignite a lifelong love of the great outdoors! I am a mess, mud, creature loving, tree climbing, tool using, sensory play, nature emersion advocate for children. I am also a mum of two little girls, both of which have been in our bush play programs since babyhood. I feel very lucky every day to call this ‘work’.
Mitchell O’Neill
O’Neill Performance
Mitchell O’Neill
O’Neill Performance
Hey! My name is Mitchell O’Neill and I’m the sole trainer at O’Neill Performance.
I first gained a keen interest in sport and fitness at the age of 5, particularly in AFL and athletics. This interest quickly turned into a passion and I’m now dedicated to passing on my knowledge and experience to the younger generation through exercise and sports specific training!
The journey began at 5 at my local football oval in country NSW, where I first put on a pair of boots, which then stemmed to trying out athletics at school where I eventually when onto high jump for about 10 years! My speed was then noticed, and I was told I should consider giving sprinting a go - which I did and I’m relieved I did so. I’m now one of the fastest runners in the nation over 100m and 200m.
My goal as a certified personal trainer is to pass on my know how, and help clients succeed both short and long term, whether it’s general health and well-being or more sport focussed.
Grove Chefs
Gaz Peterson
Mount Annan chef
Gaz Peterson
Mount Annan chef
Meet Gaz, our new chef at Mount Annan. With a Diploma in Advanced Food & Wine, a background in business management, and a Cert 4 in Training and Assessment, Gaz has 24 years of culinary experience. His passion and precision elevate every dish, making him an invaluable addition to our team.
Phillip Bayani
Dapto 2 chef
Phillip Bayani
Dapto 2 chef
Moonyoung Kang (Moon)
Bexley chef
Moonyoung Kang (Moon)
Bexley chef
Moon is the chef in our Bexley centre.
Radhya Shyam Khadka (Sam)
Edmondson Park 2 chef
Radhya Shyam Khadka (Sam)
Edmondson Park 2 chef
Sam is the chef in our Edmondson Park 2 centre. He holds a Diploma Of Hospitality Management and a Certificate 3 in commercial Cookery.
Genene Kisnat
Dapto 1 chef
Genene Kisnat
Dapto 1 chef
Genene is the chef in our Dapto 1 centre. She holds a Certificate 3 in Commercial Cookery.
Suci Lo
Oatley chef
Suci Lo
Oatley chef
Suci is the chef in our Oatley centre. She holds a Certificate 3 in Commercial Cookery.
Guiseppina Musolino (Pina)
Edmondson Park 1 chef
Guiseppina Musolino (Pina)
Edmondson Park 1 chef
Courtney Williams
Wollongong chef
Courtney Williams
Wollongong chef
Courtney is the chef in our Wollongong centre. She holds a Certificate 3 in Commercial Cookery.
Have something to contribute?
We’re looking for professionals in the early childhood field who have some thoughts, ideas, and advice they’d want to share with our Grove Community. If this sounds like you, please contact us today!