Team
Owners and Managers of
Beyond The Beanstalk
Jennie: Scribe of Science & Stories
“I hope to encourage STEM in children in early childhood so they can develop STEM skills to solve problems in a variety of contexts.”
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Jennie has been a science teacher for 30 years, achieved national and international recognition, awarded a Churchill Fellowship and Caltex Rotary Award for innovation in teaching and also holds a Master of Science.
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She has travelled to the US and Europe to observe best practice in the teaching of science, engineering and mathematics.
Jennie is also the author of The STEAM Book. A book of STEM activities for late primary and early high school students and the accompanying teacher resource.
Elizabeth: Mastermind of Mayhem
“I was often referred to as “Mary Poppins”, in many of my previous roles. I like to think that meant I thought outside the box and encouraged this skill in all children I had the pleasure of working with."
Elizabeth has been working with children in both Australia and the United States for over 12 years.
She has worked as a nanny and in home educator. She has also worked in both long day care (LDC) and outside school hours care (OSHC) as an educator, educational leader, nominated supervisor and centre director.
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Having received qualifications in early childhood, Elizabeth has also pursued qualifications in business and marketing.
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Liz has 2 little girls who love helping and trialling new activities from Beyond the Beanstalk.
Holly: Head Mischief Manager
Meet Holly, stepping into our realm with a blend of expertise and culinary flair! Transitioning from her role as Centre Director, Holly now brings her diverse experiences to the forefront as she joins our management team, ready to spearhead business development and serve as the vital liaison for our services.
With a rich background spanning various fields, including notable time with the NSW government and in the dynamic world of hospitality management, Holly embodies versatility and innovation. But it's her culinary prowess that truly sets her apart – her sandwiches and toasties are legendary, within the Beanstalk office!
Beyond her culinary creations, Holly's strategic acumen and passion for excellence make her an invaluable asset to our team. As she takes the reins in driving business growth and nurturing relationships with centres across the Sydney region, we're excited to witness her transformative impact on Beyond The Beanstalk.
Bernie: Captain of Controlled Chaos
Bernie brings a wealth of experience from her years as a primary school teacher, having taught every grade from Kindergarten to Year 6. Her passion lies in helping children discover how the world works, turning curiosity into confidence through hands-on learning.
Before the classroom, Bernie spent over a decade as a gymnastics coach, teaching everyone from bouncing babies to enthusiastic adults. At home, she’s kept busy by two mischievous monster puppers, a mini human, and a husband surrounded by an ever-growing army of 3D printers.
If you spot Bernie at one of our workshops, be sure to check out her earrings or hat—she has an vast collection and always tries to matches her accessories to the theme of the day!
The Team
STEM PRESENTERS
BEHIND THE SCENES BRILLIANCE
Philip
Office Wizard
Philip comes to us with experience across a range of industries. He has been teaching for 16 years, was in the IT industry for 19 years and even spent a 7 year period as a musician… he even sported an afro for some of that time!
Philip is a keen coffee fanatic, loves Dungeons and Dragons, cats, his many grandchildren and of course the weird and wacky shenanigans we get up to here at The Beanstalk.
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Watch out around the end of November as Philip tends to go through a little transformation. His beard and hair grow longer, his belt needs to be let out a few notches and for some reason, he starts wearing a lot of red, black and white.
Gary
Graphic Designer
Gary, the wickedly talented graphic designer behind GF Creative.
Gary runs his own business GF Creative in Sydney but works remotely for a range of businesses including ours!
His impressive portfolio is a must-see! Irish born and raised, Gary has lived in Sydney for the past 13 years and has a young family, a love of James Bond films and an impressive portfolio where no job is too big or too small.
Visit his website gfcreative.com.au to explore some of his wonderfully creative works and be inspired. Be sure to give him a follow, because great things come to those who create! #gfcreative.sydney
Nathan
Office Engineer
Nathan, the engineering extraordinaire at Beyond the Beanstalk! all things tech and tinkering! When he's not busy fixing drones or cracking jokes, you can find him building aquaponics units, installing security cameras (he's got your back!), and maybe even dusting off some ancient dinosaur bones. Just make sure to keep an eye out for his witty sense of humour - it's been known to catch people off guard (in the best way possible). Get ready for engineering expertise with a side of hilarity! Nathan also steps into the role of Stem Presenter when needed. If you see him at a workshop, ask him to tell you a joke!
Ruby
Meet Ruby, the dynamic STEM presenter who infuses fun and enthusiasm into every lesson. As the office social media queen, she effortlessly bridges the digital and real-world spaces, captivating audiences of all ages.
With two little ones at home, she balances the joys of motherhood with a passion for health and creativity.
When she's not nurturing her children, she finds time to stay active at the gym and express her artistic flair through baking and cake decorating.
Erin
Erin has been working with kids since she was in highschool. She has worked as a development coach, OOSH educator and youth group leader, with kids from 6 months to 18 years old. Her favourite thing to do is build relationships with little people so they can have fun and be silly while learning about the world.
She studied psychology in university, and especially loves spending time with children with all kinds of neurodiversities. These children are often seem the most curious, ask the coolest questions, and have the most fun!
You can find her by looking for a girl who looks like Merida from the movie "Brave"! She is often told by kids...