Our Staff Team

(Please click on staff for their information)

LEADERSHIP & ADMINISTRATION

Phillip Parkes

Principal

Phillip Parkes

Clare Quirk

Deputy Principal

Clare Quirk

Christine Woods

Manager Corporate Services

Christine Woods

PSYCHOLOGIST

Nadia Van Der Woude

Psychologist

Nadia Van Der Woude

AUSLAN PROGRAM

Karen Bontempo

Curriculum Leader

Karen Bontempo

Dr Karen Bontempo has been teaching at SCDEC since 2010, and has over 26 years experience working with the Deaf community. Her academic qualifications span the disciplines of psychology, linguistics and education. Karen holds a PhD (Linguistics) from Macquarie University, where she is an Honorary Associate of the Linguistics Dept, involved with teaching, research work, and examining Postgraduate and Masters level students. A qualified teacher specialising in LOTE (Language other than English) and ESL teaching, Karen holds two GradDipEds, one in adult education and the other in secondary school teaching. Karen is currently completing a Masters degree in Education at the University of Newcastle. She teaches Auslan students and interpreting students at North Metropolitan TAFE, and annually guest lectures at various universities in addition to her work at SCDEC. Karen is a NAATI accredited professional level Auslan/English interpreter, is the national chairperson of the ASLIA Interpreter Trainers’ Network, is on the national Auslan examiner panel, and served on the NAATI Qualifications and Assessment Advisory Committee for several years. Karen sits on the editorial boards of four international journals, and she has published many journal articles and book chapters in relation to her research interests regarding language, interpreting, and effective pedagogical practices. At SCDEC, Karen was responsible for curriculum leadership surrounding the implementation of Auslan as a LOTE at Shenton College, Belmont City College and Mosman Park Primary School in 2014, a program delivered in partnership with Deaf instructors from the WA Deaf Society. Karen was invited to become a member of the writing team for the national curriculum in Auslan (from Foundation to Year 10) by ACARA in 2015 and she continued to work on this in 2016, as well as developing the Year 11 & 12 syllabus in collaboration with SCSA in WA for Auslan as a WACE subject. Karen won the “WA Premier’s Secondary Teacher of the Year” in 2016 at the WA Education Awards for her contribution to public education in WA. In 2018 at Shenton College, Auslan will be delivered to mainstream hearing (and Deaf) students from Years 7 to 12, our first Cert 4 and ATAR students will graduate under Dr Bontempo’s direction.

Patricia Levitzke-Gray

Deaf Education Officer

Patricia Levitzke-Gray

Patricia Levitzke-Gray joined the staff of SCDEC in July 2017, after a successful and rewarding 24 year history of employment with the WA Deaf Society in a variety of senior roles in community services, education and interpreting. Patricia provided language consultancy services to SCDEC from 2014 to 2017 in relation to the Auslan program at Shenton College, and has an outstanding track record as an Auslan teacher, working with children, families, adult learners, and organisations. She is a published author, with three book chapters in scholarly volumes on interpreter education, assessment and Deaf history. Patricia holds formal qualifications spanning education, interpreting, and human service disciplines, and she serves on the ASLIA National Interpreter Trainers’ Network and the WA Association of the Deaf as a committee member. She hails from a large Deaf family, with over 140 Deaf relatives, and is a 4th generation Deaf person, with rich ties to the Deaf community. She is a nationally renowned Deaf Interpreter, with considerable high-profile experience working at conferences, in the media, and in complex situations with special needs clients, including legal, mental health, and medical settings. She teaches on the Diploma of Interpreting program at North Metropolitan TAFE, and has extensive experience presenting cultural awareness training sessions at universities and in workplaces. Patricia is fluent in multiple signed languages and has won a number of awards for her work. SCDEC is delighted to have her expertise on staff full time in the Auslan program and working across the Deaf school in a variety of capacities in the unique specialist role of Deaf Education Officer.

Brooke Buise

Auslan Teacher

Brooke Buise

TEACHER OF THE DEAF

Chip Barry

Teacher

Chip Barry

Claire Blackwell

Teacher

Claire Blackwell

Claire joined SCDEC as a relief teacher in 2015 and is now working on staff as a teacher in the Deaf Centre and as a mainstream support teacher. Claire gained her NAATI qualifications as an Auslan interpreter in 1999 and has worked as a community and educational interpreter in Perth and Broome. In 2013, Claire completed her Bachelor of Education and then worked at Cable Beach Primary School before returning to Perth in 2015 where she worked at Mosman Park School for Deaf Children and Shenton College Deaf Education Centre. Claire holds a Masters degree in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education from the University of Newcastle.

Ceridwen Clocherty

Teacher

Ceridwen Clocherty

Mari Karvinen

Teacher

Mari Karvinen

Mari has been a qualified teacher of the Deaf for 18 years. She completed a postgraduate degree specialising in Deaf education with the University of Melbourne. Prior to becoming a teacher of the Deaf, Mari was a SENCO (Special Education Needs Coordinator) in London for a number of years and in that role she was responsible for implementing and monitoring schools’ Individual Education Planning systems. Mari originally trained as an English and ESL specialist teacher in NSW and has been involved in secondary education for 23 years. In 2018, Mari is providing support to fully mainstreamed deaf students.

Jade O’Brien

Teacher

Jade O’Brien

Jade gained NAATI paraprofessional interpreter accreditation in 2016. Jade has been a part of the SCDEC team as an Interpreter since 2017 and is enjoying the new environment and community feel that an educational role brings. Prior to achieving this, she completed a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at Curtin University with particular interest in the fields of paediatrics.

Sandra Strandsjo

Teacher

Sandra Strandsjo

Sandra originally worked as a qualified teacher of the Deaf at a Swedish Deaf school for 8 years, teaching Deaf senior school students. In this role she also supervised trainee teachers who were studying to become teachers of the Deaf. Sandra is multilingual, as a fluent speaker of English, Swedish and Swedish Sign Language and now also Auslan. Sandra is a CODA and has been involved in the deafness sector all her life. During her studies to become a teacher, she worked at the Swedish Deaf Society Centre as a freelance interpreter. Sandra has a great interest in travelling and has visited many Deaf schools around the world. She has been working at SCDEC since 2011. In 2018, Sandra is working two days per week in the Senior Deaf Centre.

Diane Vosganoff

Teacher

Diane Vosganoff

Diane graduated with a Science Degree and Teaching Diploma from Murdoch University in 1988 and commenced her teaching career in the sunny town of Jurien Bay. She then returned to Perth as a secondary science teacher for a further 17 years at Gosnells SHS, Seton Catholic College and Thornlie SHS. In 2004, Diane began a journey into the Deaf education arena when she initially completed Auslan Certificate II at TAFE. Next she embarked on a Post Graduate Diploma in Deaf Education Studies through the University of Melbourne. In 2011 Diane conducted a research project and completed her “Masters in Education of Hearing Impaired”. Her work was later published in Deafness and Education International. In 2007, Diane commenced teaching Deaf students fulltime. She recently returned to Shenton College Deaf Education Centre after completing 5 years as a Visiting Teacher for the Deaf in and around the metropolitan area where she worked in both public and private schools with students ranging from 4 years old to 17 years old. In her role as a Visiting Teacher, she also guest lectured on occasion at Curtin University and the University of Western Australia. In addition, Diane has presented several workshops for mainstream teachers working with Deaf students in a range of schools and at the Western Australian Institute for Deaf Education (WAIDE). Diane obtained a Diploma of Interpreting and NAATI accreditation in 2015 and works on a casual basis as an interpreter outside of school hours.

Rae Walker

Teacher

Rae Walker

Rae was born hearing and began her 29 year career in education teaching Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics in mainstream high schools and universities. She has taught in private and government sectors, in both metropolitan and remote high schools. At Murdoch University she lectured Physics and Mathematics in pre-admission courses and lectured and tutored undergraduate students in the Education faculty at Notre Dame, and was responsible for co-ordinating and implementing the following units; Science Teaching Methodology, Human Body Systems and Environmental Science. She also tutored the Internship and Introduction to Curriculum Framework courses for secondary teaching undergraduates. Rae has a Bachelor of Education (Physics/Chemistry major and Mathematics minor) and a Post Graduate Degree in Human Resource Management. After becoming deaf, Rae completed a Diploma of Auslan in 2015, enabling her to continue her educational career with a renewed focus on Deaf education. She is currently undertaking a Master of Special Education (Deaf and hard of hearing specialisation) with the University of Newcastle. At Shenton College DEC, Rae offers support to deaf and hard of hearing students and their mainstream teachers, in the form of specialised academic tuition in science and mathematics, using a bilingual and bicultural approach to education.

DEAF MENTORS

Nishma D’Agostino

Deaf Mentor

Nishma D’Agostino

Nishma has been a valued Deaf Mentor at SCDEC since 2012. Being fluent in Australian Sign Language (Auslan), British Sign Language (BSL) and English; Nishma brings a diverse range of skills for the benefit of our students. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Social Work from the Buckinghamshire New University (formerly Buckinghamshire Chiltern University) in the UK, working in London as a Social Worker for 15 years. Nishma moved to Victoria in 2004, furthering her career at Expressions Australia (formerly Vicdeaf), providing case management and support services within the Deaf community.

Nishma gained a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE 40116) in 2020. Nishma successfully completed a Diploma of Interpreting at North Metropolitan TAFE (formerly Central Institute of Technology) in 2015 and holds the NAATI Certified Provisional Deaf Interpreter (CPDI).

Nishma’s unique experience supports her suitability as Deaf Mentor at SCDEC, working with students in the middle and senior school Deaf Centres and mainstream, and in teaching Auslan as a LOTE to students in the mainstream Auslan program.

Billy Quick

Deaf Mentor

Billy Quick

Billy holds a Diploma of Auslan Teaching from Central TAFE, where he was also employed for six years teaching Auslan to hearing mature-aged students. After moving to Sydney, Billy worked for four years as a member of an English to Auslan translation team, producing a number of high quality Auslan DVDs as part of a large-scale translation project. Billy returned to Perth and took up a position at SCDEC in 2009. In addition to his current work with SCDEC, Billy has worked in various Perth metropolitan schools as a Deaf role model/mentor and as an Auslan teacher. As a qualified cabinet-maker, Billy can relate well to students undertaking vocational study and life skills programs, as they prepare to enter apprenticeships or the workforce. With a range of interests including history, cinema and travel, Billy is able to engage students in varied discussions, enhancing students’ Auslan skills through a subject content focus. In 2018, Billy is involved in supporting students in the middle and senior school Deaf Centres, and in teaching Auslan to students in the mainstream Auslan program.

Shannon Scarvaci

Deaf Mentor

Shannon Scarvaci

Rorie Spare

Deaf Mentor

Rorie Spare

SUPPORT SERVICES TEAM

Jane Murphy

Team Coordinator

Jane Murphy

Jane is employed at SCDEC as an interpreter. She gained NAATI accreditation at a paraprofessional level and has worked as an interpreter and notetaker at SCDEC since 2004.

Imran Ahmed

Educational Interpreter

Imran Ahmed

Rosanne Bailey

Educational Notetaker

Rosanne Bailey

Rosanne commenced working at SCDEC as a notetaker in 2013. She is married with three boys and has a 32-year history in the banking industry. Rosanne holds a Diploma of Auslan and studied for her Diploma of Interpreting at Central Institute of Technology. She has many Deaf friends and loves being part of the Deaf Community.

Neil Barnard

Educational Interpreter

Neil Barnard

Linda Beales

Educational Interpreter

Linda Beales

Linda gained her NAATI paraprofessional interpreter accreditation in 2004 after completing her Diploma of Auslan in 2003. Linda has worked in secondary educational settings, employed by SCDEC since 2004. She won the ASLIA (WA) Interpreter of the Year (Education – Secondary) award in 2006, and continues to enjoy her time in this environment. She also works as a community interpreter and has experience in medical, employment, mental health and performance interpreting, as well as tertiary settings. With plans in the future to attain her NAATI Professional level interpreter accreditation, Linda one day hopes to interpret for some of Australia’s big names in country music.

Shannon Cole

Educational Interpreter

Shannon Cole

Elise Crowley

Educational Interpreter

Elise Crowley

Elizabeth Devereux

Educational Interpreter

Elizabeth Devereux

Tania Dudley

Educational Notetaker

Tania Dudley

Tania has been a notetaker at SCDEC since 2005. In that time she has supported deaf and hard of hearing students in mainstream classes, providing them with quality notes that assist in their achievement of learning outcomes. Tania is responsible for the training of new staff members and interpreters on how to note-take. On a number of occasions Tania has provided professional development to other Educational Assistants drawn from schools based throughout WA. Tania has studied up to Certificate III in Auslan at Central TAFE.

Trudy Gripton

Educational Notetaker

Trudy Gripton

Joanne Golphin

Educational Notetaker

Joanne Golphin

Paula Herzog

Educational Interpreter

Paula Herzog

Paula started working as an Education Interpreter in 2013. She gained her paraprofessional accreditation (now Certified Provisional Interpreter) in 2015 after completing the Interpreters Course at Central TAFE in 2014. She has worked in the Primary & Secondary setting as well as TAFE. She began working at Shenton College in 2016. Paula also holds a Diploma of Bowen Therapy and this knowledge of the human body has been of benefit to students in sport or health classes.

Ashley Jahn

Educational Interpreter

Ashley Jahn

Ashley has been at Shenton College Deaf Education Centre since 2011. He completed his Diploma of Interpreting in 2013. He has a wealth of experience being a CODA (Child of Deaf Adult) and growing up in the Deaf community. Ashley is an invaluable member of the school and a strong addition to the special-needs team.

Felix Jahn

Educational Interpreter

Felix Jahn

Lisa June

Captioner

Lisa June

Lisa is employed full time at SCDEC as a Captioning Officer. For the past 7 years she has been responsible for all captioned media requirements at Shenton College, which also includes all imperative obligations for the specialised centre. She holds Certificates II and III in Auslan from Central TAFE and Certificate III in Teacher Assistant from West Coast TAFE. Prior to her captioning work, Lisa was employed for 2 years as an educational notetaker, obtaining a Certificate in Notetaking from Central TAFE. She has previously shared her notetaking skills and experiences in formal training presentations to colleagues in the field.

Julie Lamb

Educational Interpreter

Julie Lamb

Bianca Lekias

Educational Notetaker

Bianca Lekias

Bianca has been a notetaker at SCDEC since 2013. She has undertaken studies with the RIDBC Renwick Centre, participating in professional development for Education Assistants working with Deaf and hard of hearing students and is completing an online unit in relation to her role as a notetaker at SCDEC. Prior to working at SCDEC, Bianca spent over a year living and volunteering in Japan, which she loved.

Sylvie Martino

Educational Notetaker

Sylvie Martino

Sylvie started work in Deaf education at Cottesloe in 1976 as a teacher assistant, tutoring deaf students. She then worked at John Forrest Secondary College in the Deaf Unit for 16 years. Sylvie is employed at Shenton College as a notetaker. Sylvie has note taking certificates 1 and 2 and has also studied Auslan 1 and 2, and Deaf cultural studies. Education has been her passion for many years and she is thrilled to be part of the Shenton team.

Danielle Pritchard

Educational Interpreter

Danielle Pritchard

Danielle is a NAATI qualified paraprofessional interpreter who completed her Diploma of Interpreting at Perth Central Institute of Technology after completing her Diploma of Auslan. She has been working in a secondary education setting for 6 years now in a range of roles. Danielle holds a Certificate IV in Hospitality and makes use of these skills while working in a work experience setting with students. She regularly attends professional development opportunities and workshops to enhance her interpreting skills. She is an avid theatre enthusiast and goes to watch her peers interpret theatre shows as often as possible.

Julia Reid

Educational Interpreter

Julia Reid

Alix Robinson

Educational Interpreter

Alix Robinson

Clair Shreeve

VET Coordinator

Clair Shreeve

Clair joined the SCDEC in a note-taking and interpreting role in mid-2014. She holds NAATI accreditation at Paraprofessional level. From February 2008 to May 2014, Clair worked at the WA Institute for Deaf Education (WAIDE). Her main role was as a Mentor, supporting Educational Interpreters in mainstream settings. Clair is an ASLIA member and has been so for the for the past 11 years. Clair held an ASLIA committee member position for 3 years; has been proactive in organising the ASLIA Awards event in WA; and she currently sits on the NAATI Regional Advisory Committee representing Auslan interpreters working in education settings.

Aleisha Sheward

Educational Interpreter

Aleisha Sheward

Aleisha is a NAATI qualified Paraprofessional Interpreter who completed her Diploma of Interpreting in 2014. She has worked in a range of Education settings including Primary Schools and TAFE since 2012. Aleisha began working at SCDEC in 2017

Tessa Stokes

Educational Interpreter

Tessa Stokes

Jacqui White

Educational Interpreter

Jacqui White

Jacqui started working at SCDEC in 2002 and gained her paraprofessional interpreter NAATI accreditation and her Diploma of Interpreting in 2004. She trained further, as a notetaker, in 2005. In 2005, Jacqui was nominated for the ASLIA (WA) Interpreter of the Year awards in the “Educational Interpreter” category. As well as her work at SCDEC, Jacqui does community interpreting in the healthcare field, and has also worked as an interpreter in the tertiary education sector.

Hannah Yaschenko

Educational Interpreter

Hannah Yaschenko