Teaching Staff - Southern Cross Education Institute

MEET OUR TEAM

Yvette began her career in the field of Nursing as an Aged Care worker. After working nearly five years in this field, she decided to return to studies to further her knowledge and career. Yvette has completed a Bachelor of Nursing with University of South Australia (UNISA) and has had exposure to the acute care sector working in a variety of areas from Medical, Recovery, Orthopedics, Surgical, and Emergency. She enjoyed working in emergency so much that Yvette went back to study to obtain a Graduate Diploma in Emergency Nursing.

After working and supporting many students throughout a steadfast career as a Clinical Facilitator for both, in the field, and for Flinders University of South Australia (FUSA), Yvette set her sights on the VET sector and has held a Course Coordinator role within Health programs for over seven years.

Yvette recently joined the SCEI team after completing her Masters in Public Health and is very excited at the future prospects with SCEI for the opportunities provided to existing and future Nursing cohorts. She plans to return to study later this year to complete a PhD, however in the meantime you will find her supporting her students as they embark on their learning journey at our Adelaide campus.

Yvette’s main objective is to become the best version of herself in a career that she describes “spans a lifetime, and is so rewarding”.

Russell was raised in Melbourne and has held a long-term career in Victorian State Child Protection Services. He has experience working in Community Services in North East Pilbara, is a strong advocate for Mental Health, and currently volunteers as an Ambulance Officer, along with training youth work and community services students. Russell is qualified with a Bachelor of Arts (Youth Affairs), Graduate Diploma of Economics, and Diploma in Information Technology from Melbourne Polytechnic. Throughout his personal journey, Russell discovered a passion for writing, which has led him to publish short stories, articles about economics, public welfare, and history. Moreover, Russell has accomplished a goal in life to publish his comic Novel titled, ‘Bloke Raising Boys’.

Sherwin commenced work as an Aged Care worker many years ago. Being a current Trainer, Sherwin has described his career within training and assessment as enjoyable, absorbing a lot of the experience. He went further to develop himself and now loves sharing his experiences, the expectations and reality of a role within the industry.

Sherwin has a strong passion for teaching and customer service, wanting his students to enjoy this wonderful course as they pursue careers as sound and safe Aged Care students and workers in what can be described as a culturally diverse industry. His advice is to keep challenging yourself, try different things that you enjoy in life and most of all, be proactive.

Helen has worked at SCEI since 2019 teaching the Certificate III in Individual Support and Certificate IV in Ageing Support. Having worked in Aged Care for forty years as a PCA and as a Team Leader, as well as Nurse in charge, Helen’s wealth of experience stems from overseeing Aged Care facilities as the Director of Nursing for ten years each, operating across Queensland and Melbourne. She has been teaching for fifteen years and has a strong passion and love for training students. Growing up, Helen was in the military for five years serving with the British Nurse core and absolutely adored the opportunity.

Fernando operates with mutual respect, love, and care. He has a direct involvement in the leadership of productive teams with safety, effectiveness and efficiency, in line with the training and preparation of the workforce at SCEI. Fernando is consistent in maintaining a strong focus in the inclusion of those less privileged and vulnerable in society, where he has supported employment for the homeless, the long-term unemployed, people with disabilities, and elderly people beyond retirement.

Fernando’s passion for working with people with disabilities and the elderly; their families, friends and carers, is highlighted in his support, leadership and coordinating roles which has led him to understand their capacities and needs, goals and limitations, dreams and their achievements. He has described meeting a wide range of people throughout his thirty five years in the industry, and has come across memorable and wonderful support workers, coordinators, managers and advocates.

Having held multiple roles in several RTOs, Fernando has been a Trainer & Assessor in the classroom, at workplaces, as well as online to support the learning and development of Coordination and Management/ Leadership teams, Work Placement Officers, RTO Compliance Officers, Student Administration and Welfare Support Officers.

With over ten years working with the team at SCEI, Fernando’s steadfast approach ensures that the roles allocated to him are completed to the highest quality standards. His belief is that “all students, support staff, Trainers & Assessors, and stakeholders, deserve to enjoy an enriching and rewarding learning and working experience at the best RTO in Australia”.

Derek is an experienced Myotherapist, as well as an accredited Remedial Massage Therapist, who has worked in his own private practice for more than five years in Tasmania. His interest in massage studies, sports massage and remedial massage, grew in 2015 whilst studying for a Masters Degree in Medical Science and a Diploma in Remedial Massage. He also holds a Certificate of Training and Assessment and is extremely passionate in educating students interested in pursuing a career within the sector.

Derek volunteers as a Medic Therapist at local football clubs, DOSA rooster team of North Hobart, Tasmania, and has been working with them, providing care to their players, since 2019. Derek has a special interest in natural therapy, sports massage and pharmacy intervention. Other further professional development has been centred around pain management, neuro-plasticity and functional movement. He is registered with Massage and Myotherapy Australia, Worksafe Australia, and St Johns NEPT training program, which allows him to continually participate in workshops and related online discussion forums to further his knowledge.

Currently teaching practical subjects within the Diploma of Remedial Massage at SCEI, Derek creates a relaxed and inclusive environment which fosters an exceptional learning experience for every student from a diverse cultural background. He enjoys sharing his experiences and knowledge with his students and being part of their journey toward their shared goal of being the best Therapists in the Massage industry.

Sonali is a committed, ambitious and qualified Early Childhood teacher. Having taught at various levels, from Master to Certificates courses, Sonali has gathered her teaching experience from renowned institutions, namely, Swinburne University, RMIT University and Holmesglen. Presently, Sonali is working in the Early Childhood industry and brings ‘real-world’ industry experience into her teaching practice. With plans to pursue her PhD in Early Childhood and combine a communication design background as part of her research.

Sonali is a passionate teacher who supports her students and brings out the best of their abilities.

Carolyn has an old love for volunteering as a Cleaner, Cook and Educator and has held experience working as a Coordinator for a family Day care service. When she first began learning the Certificate III to Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care, Carolyn was raising a family. Upon completion of her studies, she commenced work within the community and local councils. Thereafter, Carolyn moved to a community in Melbourne, where she currently runs the three years old group, parenting group, occasional care and Vocational programs whilst also being a long-term Trainer & Assessor at SCEI educating future generations interested in career opportunities within the Early Childhood Education and Care sector.

Ursula has a wealth of experience within the Health Science field, including Midwifery, Perioperative, Pathology Collection, including Phlebotomy and blood sample/ cord collection, and working as a Research Assistant at The Florey Institute. Her career began in Europe when she studied a Bachelor’s Degree in Midwifery in 1986, pursuing further study in 1990 with a Master’s Degree in Pedagogy-Counselling. Seeking new horizons, Ursula migrated to New Zealand in 2003 and continued working within the Health sector before deciding to relocate to Melbourne in 2012.

Ursula prides herself in her ability to relate to people from diverse cultural backgrounds. She has many talents, one of which is being trilingual in English, Polish, and Russian. She is an effective communicator, demonstrating patience and empathy to individuals who are not native English speakers. Ursula is caring, compassionate, and demonstrates best practice to students under her care. In that regard, she is an extremely positive role model and mentor.

Joining SCEI in 2020, Ursula is motivated to maintain her own continuous professional development and keep abreast of new developments in the Pathology, Phlebotomy, and Midwifery fields. She is an effective teacher with a certificate IV in Training and Assessment who applies a high level of attention to detail to her work and expects the same from her students. Ursula enjoys creating an environment which is conducive to learning and she adapts her teaching style to meet the individual learning needs of the students. Previous students have commented on Ursula’s commitment and motivation in supporting them in becoming highly skilled practitioners.

Kimberley has spent her career dedicated to work within the Healthcare industry. Having worked in various fields of dentistry as an assistant, Kimberley decided to pursue study in Pathology Collection and has enjoyed gaining experience in various collection centres and hospitals all over Melbourne. For the past five years, she has been employed at Epworth Hospital where Kimberley has excelled in various competencies such as Autologous Blood Collection, Arterial Blood Gases, Bone Marrow Biopsies, managing the Coagulation Clinic and more.

Joining SCEI in January 2021, Kimberley brings across a wealth of experience and passion for pathology that lead her to begin a career in Training and Assessment. She has become an asset to the students and fellow staff looking to gain further insight into a career within pathology collection through effectively communicating the expectations and life skills involved in a role within the industry.

In her spare time, Kimberley enjoys playing guitar and piano, swimming, reading, and socialising.

Furqan is a dedicated Educator and Trainer in both Medical and Allied Health. With a career spanning ten years teaching in the areas of dentistry, paramedics and biomedical engineering, Furqan has a Bachelor of Medicine and has recently completed a Certificate III in Pathology collection, working as a Phlebotomist with a leading Pathology clinic based in Adelaide.

Teaching, as described by Furqan, is his lifelong passion. Having completed a Certificate in Training and Assessment in recent times, Furqan is looking forward to “transferring knowledge and skills to the community for a better future outcome”.

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