Emma Derainne

Emma Derainne is a passionate educator with over 20 years of experience in Early Childhood and Primary Education, having taught in Australia, Asia, and Europe. In 2024, Emma is completing her third postgraduate degree, a Master of Philosophy from the University of Queensland, focusing on the meaning teachers attribute to school gardens. Currently, she is embarking on a cross-disciplinary PhD project emphasising the intersection of education, health, and sciences to enhance children's overall vitality and well-being. A First-Generation graduate from a rural community, Emma’s empathy and compassion for her students are evident in her role as Program Coordinator for Early Childhood Education and Food and Nutrition Sciences at Federation Online. Emma, a mother to two boys, draws inspiration from her personal and professional life to think deeply about what school gardens really mean, how we can use them, and how they can be symbols of our communities.

Emma Derainne

How Good are School Gardens? $39.95

In How Good are School Gardens? seasoned educator, Emma Derainne, with over two decades of experience, delves into the transformative potential of school gardens. Drawing from her extensive background in Early Childhood and Primary Education across Australia, Asia, and Europe, Emma explores how these vibrant green spaces offer more than just nutritional benefits. Through engaging anecdotes and practical insights, she illustrates how school gardens foster hands-on learning, therapeutic benefits, safety and security, environmental stewardship and a deep connection to the community. Emma’s book is a compelling invitation for educators to reimagine their teaching practices by integrating school gardens into the curriculum. With a focus on experiential learning and community engagement, she provides a comprehensive guide to creating and maintaining school gardens that cater to diverse student needs. From promoting sustainability to enhancing academic outcomes through real-world applications, How Good are School Gardens? offers valuable strategies and reflective prompts. This book is an essential resource for teachers looking to cultivate enriching, dynamic and inclusive educational environments that nurture students’ growth and holistic development.

Teach, Parent, Repeat $39.95

Teaching has always been demanding. But somewhere between the staffroom and the school run, the lesson plans and the bedtime routine, it became something else entirely: relentless. Teach, Parent, Repeat says what teachers are thinking but are rarely allowed to say out loud: that the emotional labour is enormous, the expectations are contradictory and the line between who you are at work and who you are at home stopped existing a long time ago. Written by teacher, researcher and mother Emma Derainne, this is an honest, warm and wickedly funny survival guide for educators who still care deeply – and are quietly wondering how long they can keep going at this pace. Through sharp personal storytelling and grounded research, Teach, Parent, Repeat names the invisible load, challenges the myth of endless holidays and offers something genuinely rare: permission to set boundaries, lead with humanity and fall in love with teaching again – on your own terms.