Geelong’s best kinder, childcare centre teacher for 2023 revealed, voted by locals

Readers have spoken, and Geelong’s best kindergarten/childcare centre teacher for 2023 has been found. SEE WHO MADE THE TOP 10.

Southern Cross Montessori Leopold childcare centre's Ethan Drummond has won the Geelong Addy reader vote for the best indergarten/childcare centre teacher for 2023. Pictured with Isaac, 3. Picture: Alison Wynd

A Leopold teacher who discovered his passion only recently has won the 2023 Geelong Advertiser vote for best kindergarten/childcare centre teacher.

The Addy put the call out for community nominations for the best early childhood educator across the region, with dozens of entries received.

Ethan Drummond from Southern Cross Montessori Leopold garnered an impressive 43 votes – or 17 per cent – out of the close to 250 submitted.

Mr Drummond started at the centre six months ago.

The 25-year-old said he couldn’t believe his win.

Southern Cross Montessori Leopold childcare centre's Ethan Drummond has won the Geelong Addy reader vote for the best indergarten/childcare centre teacher for 2023. Pictured with Isaac, 3. Picture: Alison Wynd

“It’s an incredible feeling,” Mr Drummond said.

“In the beginning, I was unsure where I wanted to head in my career.

“I then took a chance on early childhood education, and that’s when I really discovered my passion for working with children.”

Mr Drummond said it was honour to be named as the 2023 winner of the community vote.

He said he hoped to learn from and potentially collaborate with the other “fantastic” nominees.

Mr Drummond said his win was also recognition of the amazing team around him at the Christies Rd centre who he was continuing to learn from.

He said he enjoyed, in the traditionally female dominated industry, being a positive male role model for young kids who might not have one otherwise.

Mr Drummond said getting to witness the growth of each child and playing a role in their education motivated him.

“It’s a privilege that we get in this industry,” he said.

“That’s really rewarding.”

The top 10 kindergarten/childcare centre teachers in Geelong and the Surf Coast, according to our readers:

1. Ethan Drummond, Southern Cross Montessori Leopold

2. Lynda Lehmann, St Paul’s Kinder in Grovedale

3. Kathleen Micallef, Torquay KMK

4. Kim Haintz, Greenville Kindergarten

5. Sandy Kowalik, Bellarine Twinklekids ELC

6. Liz Randall, Flinders Kindergarten Lara

7. Cassie Gallop, Bell Park Kindergarten

8. Rebecca Branch Happy Feet Corio

9. Mavis, Korayn Birralee Family Centre

10. Liz Patterson, Next Steps Early Learning Centre

We have relaunched the Best of Geelong series to help our readers discover the incredible businesses and individuals in our community. The way it works is in three stages:

1. We put out an initial call for nominations over a two-day period. This happens on our various social media accounts as well as on our website.

2. After nominations close we open the voting stage on our website. The businesses or individuals that received the highest number of nominations will progress to the voting stage. The voting stage runs for one week.

3. Once voting has closed a winner will be announced on our website usually a few days after the voting stage concludes. At the same time we will also announce up to nine other businesses with the highest amount of votes in the poll.

*The Geelong Advertiser reserves the right to disqualify any entries to the Best Of competition.

Originally published as Geelong’s best kinder, childcare centre teacher for 2023 revealed, voted by locals