Caloundra Campus

Nigel has enjoyed a wide variety of positions in his teaching career, beginning in remote Aboriginal Communities in the Northern Territory, before further study saw him qualify as an Outdoor Education Instructor, working in that field for a number of years. He has taught in both Primary and Secondary school settings, most recently as the Head of Special Education Services in an Education Queensland Secondary College, and he has a passion for working with students to identify and work towards successful pathways post Year 12.

Nigel loves staying active as a runner, cyclist and surfer, and enjoys camping with family and friends

Josh is an avid traveller who has spent two years in Canada and England respectively. Whilst overseas, he was presented the opportunity to teach which was a fabulous experience.  The collaborative approach and tight community at Kairos are two educational concepts which fit his values perfectly.

Josh loves sport and spends most of his time playing or going to games. With this, he naturally loves the outdoors, and finds having the opportunity to take students outside and around our community for valuable learning experiences really invigorating.

Dana is a qualified social worker with a Dual Diploma in Vocational Education, Training, and Design. With extensive experience across the disability, education, and youth work sectors, she began her career as a trainer over nine years ago, driven by a passion for sharing her knowledge with those aspiring to work in support roles. Dana has primarily taught qualifications in mental health, youth work, and child, youth, and family intervention. Last year, she partnered with PeakCare Qld to develop and deliver a 10-day training course for aspiring youth workers throughout Queensland, offering valuable insights into the Residential Youth sector. Dana is dedicated to empowering and mentoring young people, tailoring educational approaches that foster confidence and open doors to future opportunities.

Outside of work, Dana loves spending time outdoors, playing soccer, travelling, and being with family and friends.

Amanda commenced her academic journey with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Criminology (with a focus on Psychology and Sociology) and Sports Studies.  She began her professional career within the Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigations arm before transitioning into a more proactive, community-focused role working alongside minority groups.  Through this experience, she developed a strong commitment toward crime prevention, community work, and youth engagement. 

After six years working with the AFP, Amanda embarked on a new professional pathway into youth work in 2012, while also pursuing further studies in counselling, psychology, hypnotherapy, and alternative therapies.  During this period, she expanded her practical experience across diverse settings, including residential care, an independent school for disengaged males, and an all-girls boarding school environment.

Amanda is currently continuing her studies in counselling and alternative therapies.  She remains deeply committed to promoting the wellbeing, safety, and positive development of young people and their families at various levels. 

Hailing from Canada, Michael came to Australia on a gap year seven years ago and hasn’t left! With a history of youth work, disability support and coaching, Michael has always enjoyed working with young people in some capacity and teaching became the natural next step in his life.

Michael has a huge passion for life and is always up for an adventure and following his stoke, he loves to share this passion with young people and support them to get out and have a crack at whatever lights their fire. When he’s not teaching, you’ll find him out in the surf catching tubes or getting amongst nature, loves a good sunset. The Kairos’ ethos has drawn Michael to Kairos, and he rallies behind the tribal mentality and belief that even small groups of people have the capacity to change the world. Make sure you ask Mikey about his World Title, too!

Jake completed his Bachelor of Education (Secondary) in 2022, specialising in Science and English. Jake values the Kairos ethos and aligns them with his own teaching practices. He is delighted to have begun his teaching career here at Kairos and is always ready to show his passion for teaching.

Jake is a lover of all things pop-culture, and you will frequently hear him making references to movies, TV shows, comic books and video games. Additionally, he loves to laugh and have fun no matter what he is teaching or doing.

Kirsty began her teaching career in the UK before moving to Australia in 2016. She spent over six years working in a special assistance high school in NSW and is passionate about creating learning environments where every student feels valued and supported.

After relocating to Queensland, Kirsty joined Kairos to continue working in a setting that celebrates diverse learning needs. She teaches Social and Community Studies, Tourism, and Year 10 Art, and is committed to helping students achieve success both academically and personally.

Kirsty enjoys getting to know each student’s unique personality and believes strong, respectful relationships are the foundation of learning. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her dog Luna, reading, and relaxing at the beach.

Shanaye has relocated from Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast, bringing with her a wealth of experience as a teacher, leader, and down ball champion. She is passionate about supporting young people to embrace opportunities and realise their potential, drawing on her diverse experiences to inspire growth. Shanaye is a strong advocate for “giving it a go”, and her classroom is an inclusive environment where curiosity is encouraged, wins are celebrated, and learning knows no limits!

Outside the classroom, Shanaye enjoys taking on as many hobbies as possible, including swimming, bouldering, drawing, hiking, gardening and collecting sea glass.

Grace is a teacher who loves seeing students thrive.  She believes that art and creative thinking are important parts of human development.  Grace comes to Kairos as an Art and Ethics teacher and she is looking forward to being part of the growth of students as they explore their creative potential and challenge their ideas of how society functions successfully. 

Grace has an innate care for the wellbeing of those around her, and she works to ensure that students are supported in their learning journeys.

Alongside teaching, Grace is an artist who loves the challenge of capturing the beauty and complexity of the world through paintings, digital artworks, and printmaking.  She has a dream that one day she will have the time to indulge in learning wheel-throwing pottery.

With over a decade of experience in both Primary and Secondary education, including roles in Mainstream and Special Education Units, Kristy brings a wealth of knowledge to her current position at Kairos. As both our Hospitality Facilitator and a dedicated Teacher Aide, Kristy is committed to nurturing students’ educational journeys within a SAS school environment rooted in a tribal philosophy.

Kristy is deeply committed to supporting young people in realising their full potential, both academically and personally. She thrives on creating inclusive and diverse educational experiences that cater to individual learning needs, creating learning environments where all students can thrive and contribute positively to their communities. Beyond the classroom, Kristy mentors students in essential life skills such as cooking and budgeting, reflecting her passion for practical education.

Outside of work, Kristy enjoys exploring her culinary interests, staying active, and cherishing moments with family and friends. Her appreciation for life’s joys, including great coffee and culturally inspired foods, further enriches her dedication to student success and holistic development.

Hayley has undertaken a number of teaching roles with young people of all ages. She began working with the NRL to teach rugby league in schools for two years, and taught learn-to-swim survival skills for five years. Hayley began her studies in a Bachelor of Education (Secondary), and is currently studying a Certificate IV in School Based Education Support.

Hayley has a drive to show young people today that they are all capable of achieving incredible things and believes everyone deserves an educational support system that works with care to consider the diverse requirements of people from all backgrounds.

After years working as both a physio and a pharmacist, Tom decided to trade the clinic for the classroom. He’s passionate about helping young people figure out what they actually enjoy doing and helping them reach their full potential. Because of his diverse background, Tom enjoys connecting with people from all walks of life and loves helping young people think outside the box to find creative solutions.

When he isn’t at work, Tom is almost certainly outside. He’s a big fan of surfing, skiing, mountain biking, and hiking, basically anything that involves fresh air and a bit of a challenge.

Oki completed his Bachelor of Social Work degree on the Sunshine Coast in 2019, and throughout his studies, he actively sought opportunities to engage with the local community, working closely with various service providers to support marginalised young people and their families.

Oki’s professional journey has encompassed diverse roles within the social work field, spanning both community-based organisations and private practice settings. This varied experience has allowed him to develop a comprehensive understanding of the social service landscape and hone his skills in client engagement, assessment, and case management. These experiences have not only broadened his professional horizons but also deepened his commitment to empowering individuals and families to achieve their full potential.

He has always had a a desire to return to working alongside the youth community and when the opportunity presented itself at Kairos, Oki was eager to join and make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people and help them navigate the challenges of adolescence and young adulthood.

Jane joins us with a background in web programming, working for over twenty years for government and private clients in the education, rehabilitation, and compliance industries. She switched to school administration eighteen months ago and loves being able to contribute to creating a welcoming environment for students and families. She is very excited to have the opportunity to contribute to the Kairos Community College team.

In her spare time (when she’s not playing taxi driver to her three children), Jane enjoys going to the beach, playing soccer and basketball, and writing short stories for competitions.