Retirement 

Retirement for Karen Chisholm

Karen started teaching for the local kindergarten before they became part of GEKA and later Glen Education. She was a 3-year-old teacher at East Bentleigh Kindergarten about 12 years ago, before transitioning to Glen Bentleigh Kindergarten in 2013. She was familiar with the service, as she lives locally, and her children attended Bentleigh Kindergarten. As a local she was able to create a trusting relationship within the community, and demonstrated immense commitment to the children and families. Karen has helped multiple siblings from families grow and become confident people. In 2021 Karen decided to step down from her teacher role and stay on board as a certificate III educator. We continued to embrace Karen's wealth of knowledge and she was a respected leader of the team as a 4-year-old teacher and centre coordinator.

Kym: “She is a fantastic, happy, funny, loving committed team member and teacher. She quickly became a friend in the workplace and socially. Her humour, creativity, imagination shines as does she and we are so, so sad that she is leaving our kinder.”

Fiammetta: “I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Karen just this year, and the multitude of things I have learned from her is enormous. It is inspiring to watch Karen early in the morning, setting up experiences for the children and organizing amazing learning areas with simple elements and tools that can scaffold children’s learning. I have been inspired by how she can capture the whole group's attention by just reading a book or singing a song. She is a lovely person, always available, calm, and relaxed with the children and colleagues, and she is going to be very missed. I wish her all the best for her future and thank her a lot for all the things she taught me"

Janet: "Karen’s ability to engage children is her superpower. I love listening to her group time and her fabulous storytelling. Karen is honest, always spoke her truth, whether it was popular or not. I love being in Karen’s company at kindergarten and outside; she always made you feel welcome and is genuinely interested in what was happening in your world. I feel it is the end of an era, she will be missed, but I am excited for her new beginnings".

Amelie: “When I started at Glen Bentleigh Kinder, I was in my first year of teaching and aware I will have to fill big shoes! Not to worry, Karen is very helpful. She became a mentor, she supported me. She was open to new ideas. We learnt from each other. Karen has great abilities and strategies to engage children in literacy learning, she transmitted her love of books through the “Book Bag”, her story telling abilities and auditory games. Karen was also very supportive in her ability to step up as a teacher if needed. She has so much experience and knowledge I will miss her great contribution to the curriculum. Karen is  amazing to have in your team.”

Jo: “I was fortunate to meet Karen in my first year at Glen Bentleigh, the same year that would be her last. Karen was quick to welcome me to the kindergarten. It has been an honour to work with Karen. Her warmth, energy and her ability to create relationships with children and families is the goal all educators aspire to achieve"

"Congratulations on your retirement!  

Thank you for all your contributions to GEKA/Glen Education, and Early Childhood sector more broadly.  Your commitment to children and families has been consistent and heartfelt and I know this has made a positive difference in so many young lives. Wishing you all the best as you (hopefully) take some time for you.  You'll all be welcome."  

Melissa MacMaster, General Manager, Operations, Education and Pedagogy. 

All the best with your next adventure.