Meet the ACCESS Team

Donna Woods

Donna has been a passionate advocate for children in both the early childhood and K-6 education sectors for over 22 years. During this time, Donna has had a keen interest in developing partnerships and building relationships with families, particularly those with children with additional needs. It is her belief that children thrive when families and educators work together in partnership to support young children’s learning. From being on the receiving end of SCAN funding when a preschool Director, Donna understands how crucial this small financial contribution is towards supporting children with additional needs. Ironically, Donna is now directly responsible for data entering the SCAN funding to eligible centres thus she feels she has come full circle! Donna brings not only her wealth of experience, knowledge and skills to the ACCESS Team but also her wonderful sense of humour and love of life!

Trish Calnan

Dip. Early Childhood Education (SKTC)
Trish has worked in the Early Childhood field for over 30 years as a Director of a Long Day Care Centre and as a teacher/Director of various preschools within the Western Sydney region. During that time, Trish spent many years as a support teacher working with children with many and varied additional needs. Her particular interest is working with children with challenging behaviours and Trish enjoys the challenges these children present within the preschool environment. Trish has worked in ACCESS as a Project Officer for SCAN in Childrenfirst since 2003 and strongly supports the inclusion of all children and their families in the early childhood setting. As a SCAN consultant, Trish is enjoying working with children and staff in her various preschool centres in their endeavours to assist children with additional needs and their families within their local communities. Trish enjoys working with the ACCESS team – a friendly, supportive, highly motivated yet quirky team who are passionate special education educators who believe in making a positive difference in the lives of all children…planting seeds of knowledge that will grow forever.

Jeanette Lord

Jeanette holds a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) and has been working in the Early Childhood industry for over 20 years in various roles including Teacher, Special Needs Teacher, Centre Director and Cluster Director. Jeanette has spent the majority of her teaching career in the preschool setting but has also worked in Long Day Care, Before and After School Care and Vacation Care. Jeanette has always had an interest in Special Education and when completing her Degree at Charles Sturt University, majored in Special Education. As an Early Childhood Educator, Jeanette is passionate about implementing quality inclusive programs for children and their families. She has a keen interest in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Speech and Language delays and believes children are our greatest teachers. As an Early Childhood teacher, Jeanette also has an interest in literacy, is an avid reader and loves reading stories to children. She discovered the “magical world of books” at a young age and enjoys passing this passion onto the children. As a Project Officer for Childrenfirst, Jeanette continues to increase her skills and knowledge in the area of special education and is thoroughly enjoying working with children and staff within the preschools she supports.

Kaylene Sibley

B.A. Dip.Ed. (Primary); Dip.Teach. (Early Childhood)
Kaylene has worked as a teacher both in primary schools, but predominantly in preschools and community-based organisations for 25 years. Her strong interest in supporting children with additional needs began when undertaking her Arts degree where she majored in Special Education. Since that time, Kaylene has worked as a teacher, director, early intervention teacher, consultant and a supported playgroup worker. Kaylene is passionate about supporting families and children through the processes of diagnosis to transition to school and realises how important it is for children to be in a supportive environment that meets their individual needs. Kaylene has a wide range of hobbies including reading, craft, cooking and a strong interest in children’s literature. She also loves anything with a cupcake or teacup or teapot on it! As a dedicated advocate for children with additional needs, Kaylene is looking forward to supporting centres through ACCESS and working as part of a passionate and creative team.

Suzanne Downes

Dip.Tch, B.Ed., M.Ed. (Syd), TC, MACE
ACCESS Team Co-ordinator
With over 20 years experience in primary education teaching from Kindergarten to Year 10 in both public and independent sectors, Suzanne joined the ACCESS Team in August 2010. Suzanne has extensive experience in developing and implementing strategic programs within a school context, including policy and curriculum development, change management and professional development. She has a passion for literacy learning and a particular empathy with special needs students. Her greatest joy is teaching children to read and write. Knowing that the first five years of a child’s life are when they do most of their important learning and develop most of their intellect, personality and skills, Suzanne believes a strong emphasis on play-based learning has been one of the best ways for her to develop positive outcomes for children, especially children with additional needs. Suzanne considers herself to be a life-long learner being committed to her own learning and self-growth. She endeavours to demonstrate through her daily interaction with children, a way of teaching that inspires success and a love of learning that will last them all their lives.