Sami Truscott
I didn’t begin my teaching journey thinking I would be teaching inclusive education. I started university bright eyed and bushy tailed, eager to soak up every experience. But, when I developed chronic pain and a university teacher said ‘…maybe this isn’t the career for you’, it sent me on a path that I didn’t know existed. The more I looked, the more inequality, exclusion and ableism I found, and my passion for education became refined. Now, my mission is to support EVERY child in achieving their potential, and to be included in all the wonderful experiences of childhood, no matter their ability.
My role
Professional development facilitator– Mentoring early childhood professionals on inclusion and musical play
Musical play specialist– Developing engaging musical play programs for individuals and ECEC services
Early intervention teacher– Learning through play
Director of Allegro Education Pty Ltd.– Overseeing the day to day operations of the company
Qualifications and experience
Bachelor of Education
(2020)
Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia
ACT Emerging Leader
(2020)
Telstra Business Women’s Awards
Graduate Certificate of the Psychology of Musical Play
(2020)
University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
Internship
(2019-2020)
Research Internship for Dr Anita Collins on neuromusical education
Early Childhood Music Specialist
(2014-2019)
Creating and delivering the early childhood music program across centres in the ACT
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
(2015)
Canberra Institute of Technology
Orff Schulwerk Professional Development
(2010-Present)
Australian National Council of Orff Schulwerk Inc
Debra Evans
I always knew I wanted to work with children (and later families). ‘WITH,’ being the operative word here. Providing opportunities for children to thrive and progress, no matter what their ability, is immensely gratifying and something I have always been passionate about. The importance of empowering whole families to make this possible is something that I discovered later and continue to strive towards. Play is my favoured approach as it can bring the whole family together and the opportunities are endless. Supporting children and families to play in a range of different ways (through games, music, sport activities and more) results in an approach tailored to the family’s needs. My experiences with families over the past 33 years have been in a wide range of settings including schools (Both Australia, UK, Papua New Guinea), Long Day Care and Preschools, Playgroups (supported, PlayConnect, MyTime), Cyclabilities, Warehouse Circus (Spin Out, Jump Start, Tiny Tucks). Through all of these, the emphasis was play.
My role
Transitions coordinator – Supporting clients to transition to school, preschool or through major life changes
Early intervention teacher– Learning through play
Qualifications
Currently studying: Rhythm and Movement for Self-Regulation
Associate Professor Kate Williams, Queensland University of Technology
Bachelor of Education, Primary
(2000)
Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW
Certificate of child care studies
(1992)
Crows Nest, TAFE, NSW
Short courses and workshops
Key word sign
(2021)
Key word sign, Australia
Autism and Playgroups
(2011)
Thomas Wright Institute
Circus as an Educational and Therapeutic Tool
(2014)
Holistic Circus Therapy
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Understanding Behaviour workshop
(2014)
Autism and Aspergers, ACT