Kairen began her teaching career in London, working with migrant families. She later moved to Switzerland to take up a position at an international school, and build on her experience in supporting culturally diverse communities. It was during this time that Kairen trained and worked with the International Baccalaureate Organization’s (IBO) Primary Years Program (PYP) – providing her with expertise in international education, inquiry and concepts based learning, and curriculum development. After moving to Australia she taught in Queensland State and Independent Schools in Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary Classrooms.

Kairen has had the opportunity to work in a leadership capacity within Languages, Literacy and Art. Passionate about social justice, she established support programs for students and as a keen advocate for the arts, instigated whole school theatre productions, art shows and a school community mural project. Kairen has always looked to advance her educational acumen through targeted professional learning and Action Research.

Kairen is currently lecturing in Primary and Secondary Education programs of study. Her research interests are focused on how preservice teachers use the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers to support their professional learning. Her research is also concerned with supporting and empowering final year preservice teachers within a highly regulatory education environment. She recently presented her latest research at the London International Conference on Education (LICE) at Cambridge University, UK.