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Programmes
Dip.Tchg ECE/B.Ed.(Teaching); Grad.DipTchg (ECE). Face to face/webct.
Teaching Area/Interests
Early learning and development; Theories of learning; Infant toddler pedagogy and curriculum; Influences on learning and teaching in Aotearoa/NZ; Politics of education; Assessment in education.
Research Interests (area & methodologies)
My research focus is infant-toddler pedagogy and curriculum. This area of research is establishing new boundaries of enquiry that are defining specialist knowledge about relevant theories, methods and information. This research is creating a new research base with which to investigate the effects of educational systems on very young children in New Zealand.
Professional Links
Participation in an International project on Play and Learning for Children Under Three Years, across eight countries (Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Japan, China, US, Sweden, Norway) for the world organisation on early childhood education Organisation Mondiale Pour L Education Prescolaire (OMEP).
Research project: Teachers' and parents' understandings of primary care for infants in early childhood centres within a NZ context.
National activities:
- Member, Ministerial Working Group, Strategic Plan for ECE
- Member, Advisory Committee, Ministry of Education Assessment Exemplar Project
- Member, Reference Group, "Policy into Practice" Learning Media Videos.
- Editor, The First Years/Nga Tau Tuatahi Journal of Infant Toddler Education
- Media interviews: Nicola Leggat, Metro; Ruth Laugeson, Sunday Star Times; Estelle Sarney, Little Treasures; The Aucklander.
- Keynote speaker at "Infantastic" & "Too Infantastic", national Teachers' courses
- Auckland College of Education Delegate, ASTE Conference, 2004.
Local activities:
- Coordinator, Infant/Toddler Network, Auckland
- Presenter, professional development seminars, fono.
- Representative, ECE Advisory Committee/Programmes Consultative Committee, AUT.
- Member, Reggio Emilia Provocations, Auckland
- Member, OMEP (world organisation for ECE)
University Committees served on
Grad.Dip.Tchg (ECE) Qualification Committee; Early Childhood Teacher Education Committee; Appointments panels (ECE rep); Writers groups/Advisory Committees for new course development; Advisory Committee member, Practicum modules, for B.Ed. Review; Advisory Committee member for Pasifika ECE modules.
Qualifications / Degrees
- MEd (1st Class Honours) - Massey University
- DipEd - Massey University
- DipTchg (ECE) Eg
- Cert. of Participation: Infant Toddler Philosophy - Fitchburg State College, U.S.
- Cert.Adult Tchg. - Auckland University of Technology
Previous professional experience (prior to present position)
Lecturer, Auckland College of Education, 1992-1998; Supervisor and Trust Member, Nga Tamariki O Te Waiariki Early Childhood Centre 1987-1992; Associate Teacher, Practicum, Waikato University School of Education, 1989-1991; Area Communicator, Extramural studies, Massey University, 1987-1991; Part-time tutor, Waiariki Polytechnic Health Studies, 1985-1991; Play specialist, Rotorua Hospital, 1980-1987.
Other information, interests or things that drive you
The politics of early childhood education in relation to improving professional standards of infant toddler care and education. Writing, presenting, commenting on issues in infant toddler education and dialoguing on internet sites regarding ECE nationally and across the world. Networking with other educators - in particular shoulder-tapping new writers to publish. Being a grandparent of very young grandbabies and being absorbed in their development and learning.
