Catherine has 36 years of experience in 2e Education, spanning four countries and a combination of private, international and state school environments. 

She is a Founder of Tombolo Academy, Australia's first school for twice-exceptional children, and Director of Kids Like Us, a Not-for-Profit organisation that has supported 1000 twice-exceptional children and their families since 2012.

As a social entrepreneur, business consultant and CEO in the health and Not for Profit fields, Catherine has a well-established reputation for creating for-purpose entities in Australia and globally. Catherine has also worked in Governance roles as a Non-executive Director for the NHS, Oxford, UK and is a founder of KERAB International, Bahamas.

Catherine has qualifications in Narrative Therapy, Teaching students with dyslexia and learning differences, and is an accredited Action Learning Coach. She is also a Fellow of the School of Social Entrepreneurs, with a background in business and project management.

Catherine is twice-exceptional herself and a parent of three 2e children. She knows first-hand that being 2e ‘ain’t pretty or easy’ and has now found her passion for helping others like her.

In her spare time, Catherine enjoys the theatre and can be found supporting the wardrobe and costume team at the Australian Opera and other productions at the Arts Centre, Melbourne, or supporting the community through the SES.

Jim studied Psychology at the University of Melbourne graduating in 2017. He then began working within the Department of Health and Human Services for 2 years as a Child Protection Practitioner where he developed a passion for supporting vulnerable children and families. Pursuing this passion further, he then spent 9 months working at a special school as a Family Support Worker before joining the team here at Kids Like Us.

Jim leads many of our social-emotional programs including EPIC, BOOM and Konnect programs as well as one on one sessions as a mentor and counsellor. As a member of the well-being team, Jim collaborates with other staff to define, deliver and report on the outcomes that are achieved by young people through their attendance at a range of KLU programs.

Jim has a great passion for music and performing and has spent most of my life learning and performing with different instruments including piano, drums, singing and guitar. His future ambition is to combine all of my passions to go back to study a Master in Music Therapy, where I hope to continue my work with vulnerable children and their families through music.

Aimy has worked in a wide range of educational environments over the last eight years. Aimy is currently on a sabatical as she is working on a program with the DET. However, her role at Kids Like Us, was the lead teacher for the EPIC program supporting primary aged students who attend the day program.

Aimy loves working with young people who have experienced difficulties in mainstream school education. She is driven by a focus on trauma-informed practice, working in environments requiring flexible delivery. Aimy also teaches at Deakin University, teaching pre-service teachers focusing on Inclusive Education, and is a passionate art teacher who loves to learn about anything and is wildly curious.

Aimy’s qualifications include Masters of Education (commenced); Graduate Diploma, Adolescent Health and Wellbeing; Masters of Teaching (Secondary/Applied Learning); Bachelor of Interactive Media (Graphic Design/Animation).

Aimy’s personal passions include cheese, dogs, netball, the Gym, reality tv, art, and travelling.

Aimy’s favourite thing about working at KLU is getting to know each young person and the unique interests they have. She loves the fun and creative things we get to do in our sessions!

Lesley began teaching from the ground up. A few months of kindergarten stimulated her to enter Primary Teachers’ College, after which she taught Grade 1, and the following year Grade 4/5 composite. She was also the Principal on Wednesdays.

Following this, she left teaching to explore the world and held many different jobs.

When she returned to teaching while completing a degree at Monash, she realised her love for teaching older students.

She loves to find the ‘key’ that unlocks a student’s full potential and works to build understanding and trust with her students through their often-difficult teenage years.

Lesley’s travels overseas have enriched her knowledge and enabled her to use many experiences as anecdotes to help students’ understanding. She has taken classes in the wilds of northern Canada, Kashgar in western China, as well as Myanmar, Vietnam, and Cambodia – and not forgetting a village school in the depths of the Amazon.

Many ex-students will recognise her name as teaching VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies, Geography, English and Agriculture and Horticulture Studies at Sandringham College – VCE Campus.

Dave is currently on leave from KLU.

Dave trained initially as an Industrial Mathematician at Southampton University. He worked there on a research project for a number of years. After leaving Southampton, he worked as a musician, which is how he met his Australian wife. 

After retraining as a teacher, he has worked as a tutor, in schools, and initial teacher education, both in England and in Victoria.

Dave enjoys working at KLU with students and families, who, by the act of engaging with KLU, have shown that they believe they can grow and develop.

Dave has an interest in curriculum development and alternative ways of developing mathematical concepts. He hopes to be able to share this with students who enjoy thinking in different ways.

Family life fills most of Dave's personal time. Taking part in the general mayhem of six-year-old life is my great passion.

Nearly ten years ago, Dave learnt to draw to prove to his students that he could learn a new skill. His drawings were laughably bad; however, he has continued to learn about art, which is surprisingly scientific and mathematical. 

Dave is interested in the role the visual arts can play in motivating both rational and moral thought and helping the development of aesthetic sensibilities. In 2019, he ran a public art project on the pavements of St. Kilda, sponsored by the city of Port Phillip.

Sarah has a wealth of experience in the UK and Australia as a Higher Level Teaching Assistant with a wide range of children of diverse age, abilities and needs in mainstream school. Experienced in working with students 1:1, in small groups and in full class settings; she has plenty of experience supporting and challenging children to fulfil their potential. 

Throughout her career, she has been a constant pursuer of professional development to gain new knowledge and strategies to support children with additional needs, differentiating work to suit the individual child. As a parent of two adult children with additional needs, Sarah sees the uniqueness of each child and is proactive in encouraging each child to become involved in their own development.

Whilst working with Kids Like Us, she particularly enjoys working with the children to enthuse them, enabling them to develop and extend their skills.

Jess is highly creative and is currently studying a Fine Arts Degree at RMIT with a plan of a Masters of Arts therapy in 2022. Jess enjoys art, English and pop culture.

At KLU Jess is a support worker providing 1:1 support both at KLU and in the community. Jess is also a tutor in the areas of creative writing and art. As a dyslexic person herself who knows the challenges of the education system first hand Jess connects particularly well with our sensitive and creative young people who experience anxiety and benefit from a mentor.

Jess is also a fencing Coach at the Monash University fencing club and often offers her expertise to the KLU Kamp programs. Jess also enjoys

Dylan studied geography and politics at The University of Melbourne and is currently working towards a career as a Park Ranger. He is not one of these people who has had their life worked out since they were born but is exploring his life’s options through just following what he loves doing – helping people, having fun, appreciating the little things in everyday life.

Dylan’s personal passions include camping, fishing, music, basketball, AFL, video games.

Dylan’s role at KLU is as an English and English Language tutor, and assisting in a range of social-emotional groups as well as the Konnect program. In particular, Dylan has a real connection with the primary and early secondary boys. At KLU Dylan works 1:1 with high school students – including VCE.

Dylan’s favourite thing about working at KLU is seeing student’s eyes light up when they grasp a concept as well as when they leave the session feeling more confident, motivated and less stressed than when they came in.

Charlotte originally completed a combined arts/law degree but never practiced law as she was interested in continuing to learn about history, legal and social norms, and the human experience.

Charlotte ended up working in academic research for many years on social, legal and historical projects because it played to her strengths, and it meant she could continue to learn.

After 8 years of formal higher education and a PhD, it has been 9 years of informal education – with her own 2E children – that led to a growing passion for education and helping young people learn in the way that is natural for them.

Charlotte is currently studying a Masters of Primary Teaching so she can help square pegs believe they don’t need to fit in round holes.

Charlotte is excited to be part of the Kids Like Us team where she can work with such incredible kids (and adults!). Charlotte assists with groups and is undertaking research into the experience of twice exceptional families.