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.
