The Curious Teacher

My work as THE CURIOUS TEACHER takes me into a range of settings to support, train and coach teachers and staff teams as they explore new and meaningful ways of implementing curriculum and designing experiences that embrace the richness of childhood and the art of teaching.

With a background in Early Childhood Education, my key area of interest is working with teachers and children in early childhood and primary school settings. I have been strongly influenced by the work of the Municipal Infant-Toddler Centres and Preschools of Reggio Emilia, Italy. Their work has given a voice to my passions and dreams for education.

Of particular significance to my practice has been these educators commitment to:

Valuing relationships
Listening to children
Welcoming diversity and multiple perspectives
Recognising teachers as researchers alongside children
Making children's learning visible through Pedagogical Documentation

As a teacher, I have worked in both school and preschool contexts. The majority of my teaching has been with children in Kindergarten to Year 2. Over my time teaching, I have worked in the public and independent sector, teaching children from preschool age through to Year 5.

Over the last 10 years, I have also worked on a casual basis with the Institute of Early Childhood at Macquarie University, to support the development of training teachers. My contribution to these pre-service teachers has included lectures on: Emergent Curriculum, Differentiating the Curriculum, Programming and Planning, Guiding Children's Behaviour, Integrating the Curriculum through Project Work.

In 2007, my consultancy work led me to a position as the Director of Teaching and Learning at St Lucy's School. St Lucy’s is a school in the northern suburbs of Sydney specialising in providing education for children with disabilities. This, more than any other role I have had, confirmed to me my great delight in working alongside teachers, supporting them to think critically about their practice and to find joy in the classroom.

I owe a great deal to the many teachers and children I have worked with - they have taught me more about myself than I could have ever imagined.

Finally, my curious nature has returned me to university more than once. I completed my Masters in Education from Griffith University in 2011. Before that, I completed a Post-Graduate Research Certificate at Macquarie University, specialising in Educational Leadership.