Meet our Team

KAREN

 

My name is Karen Shackell. I have been an early childhood educator for 25+ years and working at Possum’s since 2003 as the teaching director. I have a degree in early childhood as well as a diploma and certificate in children’s services. As we get to learn all about your children, here’s a little information about me and my life. I have lived in this beautiful place from a young baby after my parents moved from Newcastle. My extended family are long residents of the local community, so I have a great understanding and knowledge of our area, and the families within it.

 

Some of the things I love to do are surfing, especially at Snapper Rocks, and living the beach way of life. I love playing soccer and sport in general, going to see live music and hanging out with my family. You might find us water skiing at Tumbulgum in the Tweed River or dining out in our local restaurants. I don’t mind watching movies and LOVE renovation shows. I look forward to getting to know your future Possum and family.

MICHELLE

 

Hello, my name is Michelle Acret I have lived on the Tweed Coast for 20 years with my husband and four children. I spend my weekends watching my children play various sports, enjoying the beach, pottering at home, listening to music and going on walks. I have been teaching for over 20 years and have a Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood (0-8 years).

I joined this wonderful team of educators in 2013, and haven’t looked back. I love working with children and making new discoveries with them. Where else can you climb trees, have mud fights, learn on country and generally have fun everyday? Well Possums is the place, and I’m fortunate enough to experience this.

I believe in a play-based program and am passionate about nature play and embedding Aboriginal perspectives into our programs. I strive to build strong relationships with families who are children’s first teachers. I believe in providing opportunities for children to explore, investigate, make discoveries and learn through their interests. Being co-learners, I believe it is my role to facilitate the children’s learning and build a love of learning along the way.  I see children as capable and competent learners who thrive through experiences which encompass problem solving, creativity, experimentation and higher-order thinking. I look forward to building a strong relationship with your children and family while they experience what Possums has to offer. Thank you

TANYA 

 

Hi my name is Tanya, I have a certificate in Teachers aide (special), a Certificate III and a Diploma in Children’s services. I have been employed at Possums Preschool since 2014 and during that time I have been given the opportunity to further develop my knowledge and skills to follow my interest and passion in supporting children with additional needs. Possums also allows me to share my love of nature and the environment. I enjoy creating spaces with the children for a healthy eco system, for example; frog ponds, native bee hives, bird boxes, veggie and flower gardens. I have two adult daughters who through their interests have exposed me to the arts and I often enjoy going to a concert, ballet, musical theatre or gallery. I also have three rabbits and a dog. I enjoy spending my weekends visiting the local markets, going to the beach, discovering and exploring new places, reading and pottering in my garden. I am a big lover of books and I have fun looking for new and interesting books to share with my Possum friends. 

SARAH

 

 Hi, my name is Sarah and I joined this wonderful team in 2016. I have  a Certificate III and Diploma in Children’s services.   I have been part of the Possum community since 2015 when my daughter attended Possums preschool and loved it. I could see the passion and dedication the educators had for the children and I wanted to be part of it!

I am married and have two children Lachie and Chloe attending local schools in Murwillumbah.Our other family members consist of guinea pigs, Heidi and Ralph our dogs and Mia the cat.

My husband and I moved up from Sydney in 2003 looking to escape the busyness, and feel very lucky to live in this beautiful part of the world. Our family love bushwalking, fishing and swimming in our local rivers and beaches, however my dream weekend is spending it in my garden.

I have a real passion for gardening and enjoy creating little areas of wonderment in the outdoors that enhance children’s imaginations and encourage their interest, respect and involvement in the environment around them. I look forward to sharing these experiences with the children at Possums.

KOBI'LEE

 

 

Hello, my name is Kobi'lee. I  have my Certificate III in Early Childcare and Education and I’m also studying my diploma. I love helping children explore and learn through play, co-collaborating and supporting them to extend on their interests. I love the outdoors and have a 2 year old Dalmatian called Pongo who I have to keep very busy - he also goes to daycare when I’m at here at Possums. I love to listen to music, do puzzles and spend time with my family. I can’t wait to get to know yours. Thanks

Aunty Deidre

 

 

Hello, my name is Deidre.

 

GRAYSON

 

 

Hi my name is Grayson. I am a proud Bundjalung man, I've lived in this area all but two years of my life.  After my return I changed from hospitality to logistics, then started driving a bus and cooking for Guyahyn Playgroup which used to run from the old Possums building once a week. Then in 2019 Karen suggested I complete my Certificate III in Early Childcare and Education, I was a little hesitant at first but finally got it done, moved into my own house and then had a surprise call about (my cousin's) baby needing a home (I picked him up from the hospital at 8 days old). With just completing my Cert III I thought I was sooo ready to take on the role of being a father. But my course did not prepare me for lack of sleep or how to perform better time management with a baby. I had a few months off work while trying to figure out life with a new baby. But now we are all sorted and I'm back and ready to go!

I spend most of my time joining the Possums in play, whilst trying to secretly teach them things but at the same time they're teaching me things too. I do my best to try to share with them some of the cultural knowledge I have gained over my years. I am so lucky to be learning from the other Possums teachers as I navigate becoming a teacher myself, mostly though I'm still a kid at heart and want to enjoy everything life has to offer. And what better way to enjoy life than to be surrounded by lots of laughter from tiny humans!

 

KRYSTAL

 

Hello, my name is Krystal.

I have a Certificate III and Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care.  I have worked at Possums since the beginning of 2022. It was a rough start with Possums getting flooded within the first term of me working there but with the amazing team of educators and resilient children and families we did the best we could out of a tough situation. 

Prior to this I have worked in community preschools since 2011 and have loved my journey working with and learning from the children.  I have a passion for STEM related activities as I love to see the children experiment with trial and error and see them work through their thought processes. Fundamental Movement skills within sports/music and games are some other interests. I believe that children aren't wired to be still for long periods of time. Movement has so many benefits through the release of happy endorphins, it helps to keep the children grounded and supports them to be able to concentrate better as well as building muscle tone and teaching them lifelong skills.  

I grew up in the Byron Shire and now reside in the Tweed Shire, so I have lived locally all my life.  I am married and have three children, 1 boy and 2 girls, I also have a dog named Diesel. Sport has always been a large part of our lives. I have played hockey and touch football all my life and still currently play. Weekends see me cheering on my children at AFL, Rugby League or Hockey or at the beach or camping. Family is everything to me and I look forward to meeting and connecting with all our future little Possums. 

SHARI

 

Hello, my name is Shari.

I  am a born and breed local to the area and live in Murwillumbah with my husband and our 3 sons, Zeon (14), Taj (12) and Cruz (7 - he is an ex  Possum), and our two dogs and a cat. We are an outdoors family. We love  the beach, bush, and camping on this amazing land.

Straight out of high school, I moved overseas and became a nanny, which started my love for working with children. I first became qualified with my Certificate III 16 years ago. In that time, I have had a few years out of  the industry to raise my children. After my youngest son moved from Possums to primary school, I took his place and have been apart of this amazing family since the end of 2020. I am currently refreshing my skills and am loving being back doing the job I love.

I am passionate about nature play and believe the natural environment around us is the most qualified teacher for our little ones. Time spent learning outside and using natural resources supports creativity and problem solving, enhances cognitive functioning, improves academic  performance, improves self-discipline and eyesight and reduces stress.  The natural environment is the best playground we can offer. I strive to support each child’s growth and development through play-based learning. 

The wonderful things the children continue to teach me  is never ending. I look forward to welcoming your child into our Possum family, and getting to know yours.

BROOKE

Hello, My name is Brooke Carroll, and I am very excited to be joining the team at Possums in 2023. I started my teaching career as a high school teacher after completing a Bachelor of Education and worked in this area for 10 years. When my eldest daughter attended preschool,

I was amazed by the learning that occurred through play and the development that she had in that setting. 

I found preschool to be a place that inspired creativity and growth and where children were respected as capable individuals whose ideas were valued. The more I got involved with the preschool, the more I realised how close Early Childhood practices were to my own educational and pedagogical beliefs and I wanted to pursue this further. I went on to study a Master of Education in Early Childhood Teaching. After completing my Master’s I started teaching in a community preschool in Brisbane before my family made the move to Murwillumbah in 2020. Since then I have taught at a community preschool in Mullumbimby and I also teach Early Childhood at TAFE.

As an educator I am passionate about nature based play and embedding indigenous perspectives into the classroom. I believe that children are capable, competent and learn through active investigation. In my classroom, students are co-constructers of learning and knowledge. I believe that children are inspired to learn when they have chances to make their own choices in an environment that is exciting, thought provoking and enriching. My role as a teacher is to facilitate and extend learning in a safe environment where they are confident to

explore, initiate learning, and freely express themselves through play-based pedagogy.