Our Staff
There is a rigorous selection process for teachers who wish to become part of the program. This process is conducted by NMER office and ensures the best possible teachers are selected to deliver the courses throughout the year. These teachers are then allocated to one or more centres throughout NMER and are responsible for the delivery, evaluation and reporting of the courses over the year.
Jane Caswell
PEAC Team Leader
I have been with PEAC since 2008 and before that, developed and ran programs for highly able students at two different schools. These positions led me to undertake a post-graduate certificate in Gifted and Talented Education and a Master of Education focusing on catering for gifted learners. I love to challenge students to be the best that they can be both academically and as a person. I enjoy seeing the joy and sense of accomplishment on their faces when they achieve something that they had to think for, work for and that they did not think was possible. Encouraging students to pursue learning for its own sake is a passion of mine and I always encourage independence as a learner in my classes.
I actively advocate for students with high academic potential and believe that their academic, social and emotional needs should be catered for at all times. To this end, I have also worked at both Curtin and Edith Cowan Universities, tutoring and supervising pre-service teachers. I love to collaborate with teachers in mainstream classrooms to meet the needs of highly able students and have taken a variety of leadership roles and initiatives both in PEAC and in the wider WA teaching community.
Thinking is free – do more of it.
Ashleigh Remigio
PEAC Team Leader
I have been a passionate educator for 11 years, with 8 years’ experience working with gifted students in both the government and catholic sectors. A Masters of Education in Literacy and post graduate studies in Gifted Education through UNSW support the research based and intentional best practice implemented in my classroom. I thoroughly enjoy the challenge of teaching at PEAC and am particularly passionate about designing and delivering STEM courses, which includes Robotics. The highlight of my teaching day is watching students use their critical and creative thinking skills to push themselves to new limits. Acting on curiosity to pose open questions, conducting effective research from credible sources and developing feasible, creative, outside the box solutions to real world problems are skills I prioritise, model and develop in each course.
Kate Brough
PEAC Teacher
Whilst completing my degree in English Literature in the UK, there was no doubt in my mind the next step was to become a teacher. I gained valuable experience in a number of high schools and worked extensively as an examiner. I believe in being a life-long learner, and have since completed qualifications in counselling and my M. Ed in `Gifted Education`. I still undertake extension courses at UWA and online through OUA. I hope my continuous quest for new learning experiences models the behaviours of an autonomous learner for my students.
When I started teaching at PEAC, I felt as if I had ‘come home’. In my role, I endeavour to provide not only enriching, inquiry based learning opportunities, but also to support students socially and emotionally. Caring for the whole child enables them to strive beyond their perceived limits. My courses often involve academics and specialists in their fields visiting the PEAC classroom, and my door is always open to parents and carers. I firmly believe such partnerships are vital in supporting the students on their PEAC journey.
Carol Callaghan
PEAC Teacher
I began my PEAC journey in 2000 and it has been a source of inspirational learning experiences ever since. I was approached to enter this field of teaching after developing programs for Students at Educational Risk for several years, as well as Talented and Gifted Programs for Years 4 to 7. After undertaking various Professional Learning to improve my skills in this area I obtained a Certificate in Gifted Education. Academically able students continue to fascinate me with their flexible and open approach to learning and enthusiasm to embrace new challenges. I have also come to appreciate the diverse needs of these students.
Courses I specialise in are often science or technology based, Robotics, Kings Park Rangers and Cosmology being of particular interest. I believe students benefit from active, hands-on learning, using higher order thinking tools to plan and organise how they will approach and work their way through new learning opportunities. This also promotes a strong sense of efficacy, as well as an appreciation of the importance of developing critical and creative thinking skills. In this way very able students have the necessary tools and empowering environment to confidently explore new and innovative ideas, as well as those of their peers, so they can better understand the world around them and their place in it as continuous learners.
Narina Christensen
PEAC Teacher
I started my journey in Gifted Education in 1994 whilst on a teaching exchange to Canada. I worked as the School Resource Teacher of an elementary school, which required me to develop programs for the highly able students in the school, as well as coordinate district-wide events for these students. I brought my knowledge, experience and passion for critical and creative thinking, the technology process and enterprise education back into my Australian classrooms and in 1998 I was recognised for my innovative practice and was successful in my application to become a PEAC teacher – one of the best career moves I ever made!!
I have also worked as the district coordinator for Gifted and Talented Education for several years before moving to Perth Modern School to coordinate the state-wide Online Gifted and Talented programs for primary and secondary students.
I came back home to PEAC in 2018 and have loved being back in the classroom with young, inquiring minds who surprise and challenge me every day. I love it when students say, “it was challenging and I didn’t get it to work, but I had a great time trying!” Curiosity, creativity, persistence and a love for learning are traits that I want to foster in my students, and I endeavour to provide a learning environment that does this - with an element of fun!
Tara Hannent
PEAC Teacher
I began my teaching career in 1997 teaching in mainstream classrooms across Perth. I taught students across all year levels in different schools and school settings.
In 2005 I gained a position at PEAC which is when my passion for this field of education was ignited. I have been on an ongoing learning journey since this time to ensure my knowledge is current and I am developing programs that suit the diverse needs of our students.
As a PEAC teacher I value the opportunity to teach and advocate for our students. Providing professional learning across the region to educators is an important aspect of this position that I am very committed to. In the role of Professional Learning Coordinator, I have worked with ECU and many networks, schools and teachers across our region to build capacity in this area within our schools.
I teach a range of PEAC courses that focus on Critical and Creative Thinking and supporting students to become more independent and autonomous learners. In courses such as Sports Science, I draw on my experience, knowledge and skills as a former state athlete to bring authentic learning to my classroom. Encouraging students to discover their passions and explore their interests is something I feel strongly about.
In 2012 I achieved my Level 3 Classroom Teacher status. I am also an Early Years Extension (EYE) Coordinator and I have a lead role in the administration and teaching of PEAC’s EYE Program for students in Year 1-3.
Kirsteen McCrory
PEAC Teacher
My interest in the direct teaching of thinking and how it impacts learning was sparked by a study trip to Malta, the birthplace of Edward de Bono. This led me to becoming part of a first wave of UK teachers to take a formal and direct responsibility for students recognised as Gifted and Talented in their mainstream schools.
After coming to Australia with my family in 2005 I worked as a relief teacher and a research assistant and lecturer in the school of education at Curtin University. I was honoured to receive a nomination for the Premier’s Teacher of the Year Award after my first full year back in a primary classroom igniting young minds.
I joined the PEAC team in 2008, a job that I truly love. Drawing on my passions and life-experiences, I teach a range of PEAC courses which integrate different subject areas and connect to the real world. I am intent on encouraging students to think for themselves and to develop the mindset and habits needed to be truly successful and for them to reach their potential and find their own passions.
I have been a Level 3 teacher since 2011 and, since its implementation in 2012, I have taken a lead role in the administration and teaching of PEAC’s Early Years Extension (EYE) Program for students in Year 1 to 3.
Velu Ramasamy
PEAC Teacher
“Education has the power to change the world”. This mantra has inspired me as an educator and created the roles in my life that has made a difference. My teaching career started in Singapore and moved to the Wheatbelt region in WA. From a classroom teacher, my passion for science and STEM subjects, allowed me to create opportunities and access for students and educators in the region as their science consultant, providing support to several networks of schools in curriculum development, quality teaching, partnerships and professional development. For my contribution to education and community, I was honoured as a finalist in the 2015 Pride of Australia Awards and with a Paul Harris Fellow award in 2017. My aim is to provide our children with a holistic and balanced education that offers them an opportunity to become successful students and achieve their full potential. To provide a quality education that brings the best out of them; physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually. To build their character and resilience while growing to be independent learners and thinkers; caring and respecting the values and norms of our society, while building the social and physical environment and communities in a knowledge based and global economy. I completed my Doctorate in Education with UWA a few years ago to fulfill my ongoing desire to be a reflective learner and teacher. I am enjoying the experience of working with Gifted and Talented students, in planting the seeds for their growth, development and success.
Alan Slater
PEAC Teacher
I have been a member of the PEAC team since 2011. Prior to my teaching career I was engaged as a biological and environmental scientist operating for various organisations. However, it is my farming background which I believe has taught me the essential life skills which I value and now utilise in my teaching profession. These skills involve taking intellectual risks, and, even more importantly, they helped me to realise that failure is an important part of the learning process. I thoroughly enjoy and am privileged to work in an environment where I can develop challenging, enriching and engaging programs which nurture children’s unique interests and abilities. I strive to provide stimulating programs that open children up to new ideas and experiences which I believe will benefit them in their future lives.
Donna Wilson
PEAC Teacher
I am passionate about inclusivity. I believe all students have the right to achieve at their full potential and believe it is my role as an educator to assure every student is accepted, valued and fostered.
I focus on Inquiry based learning and develop a range of meaningful and relevant activities using the Maker Model to ensure I differentiate content, process, product and environment for the students. My courses are innovative in their diversity of approach, open mindedness, the capacity to introduce new ideas and approaches into existing working practices, demonstration of original and lateral thinking, ability to adapt to change, going the extra step, making a difference, thinking on your feet, implementation of new ideas and activities, ability to devise new skills.
I believe that when students learn in an authentic and relevant manner, outcomes are optimised. For this reason, I regularly use interpretive material and resources in my courses to encourage and motivate students to engage with ideas and tap into their creativity.
Lina Zuccarino
PEAC Program Support Officer
I am a Program Support Officer for North Metro PEAC based at the Administration Centre located at Yuluma Primary School. As the primary contact point for PEAC, I provide assistance and direction for all enquiries from parents, schools and the wider community. I came to PEAC from the private sector and my background is in administration and accounting. This knowledge benefits my working with PEAC’s accounts and budgeting and liaising with the schools’ Managers of Corporate Services.
Parents and teachers are always welcome to contact me and I ensure that they are fully assisted and given information as requested. We are excited to launch the new PEAC website and hope that this will provide a one stop shop for all things PEAC related.
My role is varied and interesting and I enjoy being a part of the PEAC Team responsible for delivering such a wonderful program to PEAC students.
Alex Castle
PEAC Program Support Officer
I have been with North Metro PEAC since 2019, providing assistance to schools and parents for the PEAC program.
I have a background in Communications and Web and Graphic Design and have been working with PEAC to develop new communications tools, including this website.
I am also a former PEAC parent, having had 2 children go through the program, so understand the needs of parents to be informed on how the program works and the benefits to their children.