Leadership day inspires early childhood teachers and leaders

The recent Early Childhood Teaching and Leadership Symposium was a day of stimulation and ‘stretch’ for teachers and leaders.

Justine O’Hara-Gregan and Louise Gorst discuss the new leadership capabilities.
University of Auckland academics Justine O’Hara-Gregan (left) and Louise Gorst discuss the new leadership capabilities.

As many as 90 professionals working with children and families in early childhood settings got a rare high-quality opportunity for collaboration at a recent ECE teaching and leadership symposium in Auckland.

“I came away with a different view of my future in ECE and what that would look like. I was inspired to continue to work and grow myself and those around me. To see such strong leaders in our sector all together was very powerful and is exactly what we need at a time when, for so long, we have been looking for the next step. This symposium was this step, and I felt privileged to have been a part of a very special moment in the future of our sector,” one participant commented.

I came away with a different view of my future
in ECE and what that would look like. I was inspired to continue to work and
grow myself and those around me.

Symposium participant

Hosted by the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Education and Social Work and sponsored by BestStart Educare, the Early Childhood Teaching and Leadership Symposium delivered on its promise to be “a day of stimulation and ‘stretch’ for teachers and leaders”.

Attendees had the opportunity to learn from early childhood leadership expert Dr Kate Thornton (Victoria University of Wellington) about the challenges and opportunities of leadership in the early years, as well as hear powerful stories of practice from centre leaders. They also participated in a range of workshops on topical issues related to early childhood leadership including: emotional labour, metaphors and imagery, mentoring leadership, mindfulness and presence, being an effective associate teacher, building a leaderful team, and unpacking the Leadership Capabilities Framework with representatives from the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Professor Helen Hedges, the University of Auckland’s first Professor of Early Childhood Education, concluded the day with some important reminders for educators:

“We need to build on what’s happening amongst policy makers to support us with creating and sustaining the many ideas and conditions discussed during the day to grow leadership capability, so the lobbying and advocacy the sector is renowned for is an important element to continue.”

Andrew Savage, Christina Thornley and Shareen Sapsworth
(From left to right) Andrew Savage and Christina Thornley from Teaching Council of Aotearoa NZ with ECE Associate Director Shareen Sapsworth.

Who’s behind the symposium

The Early Childhood Teaching and Leadership Symposium, now on its second year, was led by University of Auckland’s Associate Director ECE Shareen Sapsworth and Senior Lecturer Dr Maria Cooper, in collaboration with BestStart leaders Clair Edgeler, Jane Burke and Kim Kendrick, and AUT lecturer Celeste Harrington.

Maria appreciated the opportunity to work closely with others equally committed to ECE:

“High-quality opportunities like this are few and far between in our sector. As professionals, we need to find ways to collaborate to support those working directly with children and families in early childhood settings. What’s the point of knowing something useful if you can’t share it with others for broader benefit? Teachers and leaders also need opportunities to be extended through intellectual stimulation and challenge, and I believe our carefully selected speakers did just this. Overall, we were keen to build on the positive outcomes of last year’s symposium, and look forward to continuing to support the sector in collaboration with others.”

Shareen praised the workshop presenters for providing fabulous opportunities to provoke thinking and practice and importantly provide attendees time to talk with each other and engage in valuble professional dialogue focused around leadership.

Shareen and Maria were grateful to BestStart for being the key sponsor – they represent over 260 early childhood centres from Whangarei to Invercargill – and their funding allowed them to plan an amazing day with a great selection of speakers.

Plunket was the charity of choice, with funds raised going towards buying lunch boxes for children preparing for school.