Dr Wendi Beamish
Dr Wendi Beamish teaches across the special education and early childhood programs. She has a strong practitioner background in early childhood education and intervention. Wendi teaches and researches in the areas of early childhood intervention (focus on autism and program quality), transition to school, behavioural support, and social-emotional competence. She is the School’s researcher attached to the Queensland Autism Specific Early Education and Care Centre at the Nathan campus.
Associate Professor Bev Flückiger
Bev Flückiger is an Associate Professor of Education at Griffith University where she leads the Early Childhood Education Centre within the School of Education and Professional Studies. Bev has held educational leadership positions in early, primary and higher education, and has extensive teaching experience within these areas. Her research interests include leadership, literacy, cultural diversity and family-school partnerships. She currently teaches postgraduate courses within early childhood education.
Dr Susanne Garvis
Susanne has worked in the areas of early childhood education and arts education before joining Griffith University. She currently teaches in the early childhood program. Susanne’s research interests include early childhood education, the Arts and the use of narrative inquiry. Susanne’s PhD investigated beginning teacher self-efficacy for the teaching of arts education.
Lisa Palethorpe
Lisa Palethorpe is a lecturer in early childhood education at the School of Education and Professional Studies. Following careers in executive leadership positions in education within Queensland, early childhood consultant and early childhood director, Lisa took up an appointment as lecturer and early career researcher. Lisa currently teachers undergraduate and postgraduate courses including educational leadership, child development, quality in early childhood education and supporting social and emotional wellbeing in young children. Her main area of interest is early childhood leadership and she is currently completing her Doctorate of Education in this area. Lisa has led nationally funded pilot programmes in Early Childhood and is currently the President of Early Childhood Australia (Queensland branch).
Dr Deborah Rossow
Dr Deborah Rossow is a lecturer in early childhood education at Griffith University. She has worked in special education and other education contexts in Queensland. In addition, she has undertaken study and teaching work in New Zealand to attain Reading Recovery Tutor certification. Subsequently, she worked in South West and South East Queensland regions to train teachers and implement Reading Recovery. Deborah’s interest in young children’s literacy development and the difficulties associated with becoming literate led to her engagement in Masters and PhD studies in the area of reading. Deborah currently teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses in early childhood education. Her research interests include literacy learning, transfer of learning, blended learning, space, creativity, family-early childhood education relationships, young children and the environment, and various aspects of teachers’ work.
Dr Danielle Twigg
Dr Danielle Twigg is a Lecturer in the School of Education and Professional Studies. Following careers as a teacher and researcher in both Australia and North America, Dr Twigg has worked for the Office for Early Childhood Education and Care - Department of Education and Training (Queensland Government) on strategic initiatives in relation to achieving universal access to quality kindergarten programs for all Queensland children. Dr Twigg teaches in the Bachelor of Education (Primary), the Master of Education (Early Childhood Education) and the Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Education programs at Griffith University. She is the Program Convenor for the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education program. Dr Twigg has published in both Australian and international research journals, and has received media attention for her research into young children’s experiences with their artwork being displayed by adults. Her research interests are eclectic and include qualitative research methodologies including phenomenology, early childhood art education, student health and wellbeing, school improvement and professional learning for educators.