Luke is a dedicated and experienced educator, currently serving as the Education Leader and an Early Childhood Teacher at Cloverdale Early Education and Care. Born and raised in Perth, Luke has a strong connection to the local community. He has fond memories of his childhood spent with his grandparents in Belmont, where he explored Tomato Lake and attended the Kewdale Kindergarten.

From a young age, Luke had a passion for both digital design and teaching, making it difficult for him to choose a career path. After high school, he pursued his interest in digital design by obtaining a Certificate III in Graphic Design and working as a graphic artist for a local sign-making company. However, after a few years, Luke felt a calling to change careers and began a traineeship at a privately owned early childhood service, where he completed his Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care. Over the years, Luke gained valuable experience working with children of all age groups, progressing from a room assistant to a Director role. Eventually, he decided to leave the service after a large organisation acquired it, as he felt it was no longer a good fit.

Driven by his passion for education, Luke pursued further academic achievements. He completed a bachelor’s degree, Honours Degree, Graduate Diploma, and Doctor of Philosophy. For nearly a decade, Luke taught numerous courses at Edith Cowan University, making a significant impact on the education of future educators. He also worked as a post-doctoral research fellow for the School of Medical and Health Sciences, collaborating with organisations such as the Amanda Young Foundation, Telethon Kids Institute, and Telethon Speech and Hearing. Luke’s contributions to research and education in healthcare have been recognised nationally and internationally, earning him various industry awards.

Due to an adverse reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine, Luke experienced a chronic illness that led him to leave his position at ECU. However, he sees this as a fortunate turn of events, as it allowed him to return to his roots and join the team at Cloverdale EEC as an Early Childhood Teacher. Luke finds joy in being back with the children and taking a more hands-on approach to education. He actively contributes to curriculum design and guides the educational programs at Cloverdale EEC, working closely with educators in all rooms.

In addition to his professional life, Luke is a proud father of four children and enjoys coaching his son’s basketball team. His experience as a father and his involvement in coaching provides him with valuable insights and connections to the lives of children outside the classroom.

Luke’s extensive experience, dedication to education, and passion for early childhood development make him a valuable asset to the team at Cloverdale EEC. His academic achievements and research background bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the centre, benefiting both the children and the educators.