School Team
All of the trainers at Pearsons School of Floristry are qualified florists currently working in the floral industry, with a wide range of skills and backgrounds.
Some of our team have owned their own floristry business, others have been working in cutting-edge stores internationally, some are currently working with innovative floral designers around Sydney, and all are hand picked by Pearsons because of their industry knowledge and skills.
Part of the magic of the Pearsons School of Floristry lies with the breadth of knowledge and passion of our trainers and support team. Whether you are undertaking an introduction to floristry course or Pearsons Commercial Design Certificate, you will be inspired by your trainers skills, creativity and flair with flowers.
Meet the team
Debra Dwyer - Senior Florist, Trainer and Course Manager
Debra Dwyer's technical expertise and knowledge of floristry has developed over the past 25 years of working in the industry. Debra has been part of the team at Pearsons Florist for 14 years, and has been involved in creating stunning designs for weddings, hotel lobbies, corporate clients and floral events both large and small.
Debra has been teaching with Pearsons for the past five years and enjoys sharing her skills and knowledge with her commercial students, advanced student, as well as the general public at workshops, demonstrations and exhibitions.
Debra believes that to live a creative and useful life, we must lose our fear, we must get out of our comfort zones and we must participate in life. Debra views floristry as a career. For her, it is an opportunity to express her creativity, and teaching is a way to pass on her knowledge to students who share her passion for flowers.
Debra Van Breda - Senior Florist & Trainer
Debra Van Breda juggles a busy career working in floristry with her newfound love, teaching. With twenty years working in a range of florists, Debra has a wealth of day to day floristry experience that she shares with her students.
Debra recognises the need to nurture budding florists and to build their confidence with their floristry skills. Debra style is to encourage students, to allow each person to develop at their own speed.
It is the extra care and attention, as well as her exceptional floristry skills, that make Debra such an asset to the Pearsons team.
Mary Fairlie-Cuninghame - Senior Florist & Trainer
Mary has been a florist for over 12 years and has had the opportunity to travel all over the world doing a job she is passionate about. Whilst training in the UK she spent two months in a shop in Netherlands, six months in America and was part of a work exchange project in Finland.
Mary brings European knowledge and experience to Pearsons School of Floristry's team of teachers and students.
Freya Monro - Senior Florist & Trainer
Freya is a past student of the School and she went on to work for Pearsons in their beautiful and bustling city stores before assisting in Management of their largest store in Bondi Junction. Before becoming a Florist, Freya had a background in Advertising working for The Seven Network.
In her six years of experience Freya has had the fortunate opportunity of creating a range of design pieces from on site design consultations in clients’ homes to custom design pieces for a private jet. Freya has also done wedding work, one of which has been featured in the Sun-Herald.
Freya’s infectious love for flowers and passion to contribute to the School and the Industry is evident as she helps release potential in others that current and past trainers of PSF once released in her.
Emma Fernandez - Trainer & Florist
Emma is a past student of Pearsons School of Floristry with 6 year's industry experience and background in Event Management and Hospitality. Emma is a trainer at PSF and works part time for a busy Eastern Suburbs Florist and freelances for weddings. Her passion for floristry and love of the school make her a great trainer. Emma is supportive of her students and keen to pass on her industry knowledge and experiences.
Clarissa Esposito - Course Co-ordinator & Florist
As well as being a working florist, Clarissa is the first point of contact for potential students. Her role is to provide infomration and offer guidance about courses at the school. She also shares her own industry knowledge and experience with budding florists.
Stephanie Adams - Student Support Officer
As our Student Support Officer, Stephanie is available to answer student queries and to liaise with students and staff to ensure the smooth running of classes at PSF. Stephanie graduated from Pearsons School of Floristry in September 2009, having taken the plunge into a new career in floristry after being made redundant from her old job as a coffee shop manager.
Joanna Ramdeen - Marketing Manager
Jo has extensive marketing experience gained in the UK and Australia. She was inspired to explore her creative side and undertook floristry training with Pearsons School of Floristry on Saturdays. Now Jo utilises her marketing expertise and understanding of floristry working between Pearsons Florist and Pearsons School of Floristry.
Lynne Manns NDSF Cert Ed - Florist, Trainer & Compliance Officer
Lynne's expertise has been recognised around the world. Lynne has demonstrated to packed houses in Asia, won awards at the Chelsea flower show and inspired experienced florists across Australia at industry demonstrations. Lynne has often been represented in the media, and her work has been featured in House and Garden, Homes, The Sun Herald, Sunday Telegraph and on the Sunrise Program, Saturday Disney and the Footy Show!
With over 17 years in floristry, and eight in floristry training, Lynne brings with her unprecedented experience and a passion for quality training. Lynne has played an important role in the development and review of the Nationally Accredited Training Package. Most recently is working as a consultant and freelance designer/trainer.