I believe the combination of life and learning form an important part of my teaching. The experiences at Tots Corner Early Learning Centre have provided the guidance and materials for building on my abilities and for strengthening the principles that I highly value. I have to commend the leaders in my teaching career that inspired my thinking and provoked me to challenge my understandings of working with children, families and teachers as a Community of Learners.
My qualities are reflected in personal efforts to advocate my teaching role in society. I feel these experiences continue to contribute to who and where I am today both professionally and personally.
Achievements
I have been awarded an eFellowship for 2011 through the CORE Education Foundation. This eFellowship celebrates teaching excellence in an e-learning context and aims to raise public and educational community awareness of the benefits of e-learning. Fellows will provide ongoing, community-focused leadership in the field and participate in a one year research project.
From 2007-2009 Tots Corner was involved in the Early Childhood Education Information Communication Technology Professional Learning Programme (ECE ICT PLP) with CORE education. The programme and Jean Rockel (Auckland University Senior ECE Lecturer and First Years Journal Editor) .
The programme provided the inspiration to write an article alongside our Core facilitator. ‘‘Listening with our Eyes” was published in The First Years; Nga Tau Tuatahi. New Zealand Journal of Infant and Toddler Education - The University of Auckland, Faculty of Education in 2009.
Through this research I was also presented with opportunities to share our research findings at various early childhood education conferences and events:
- Tots Corner Professional development for Teachers 2007 - Present
- ECE ICT PLP Cluster Conferences 2007 - 2009
- ULearn Teachers Conference Christchurch 2008
- Reggio Emilia Provocations Conference 2008
- NZCA Te Tari Puna Aotearoa 2009/2011
- ‘Inspire' Teachers’ Conference (Professional Development for Teachers) 2009/2011'
- Guest Speaker at Auckland University of Technology for ECE First Year Students 2010'
- Guest Speaker for CORE Education facilitators professional development for Teachers 2010/2011
- Presenter for ‘Inspire' American Teachers’ Study Tour to New Zealand 2010/2011
In connections with this programme, I was also featured in a DVD produced to illustrate the benefits of ICT in early childhood centres around New Zealand.
