Evening With - Stephen Gallen
Description
A Fair Go - The Role of Critical Reflection
A key theme for services wishing to be rated as Exceeding the NQS is that critical reflection must be embedded across all areas of operations. The EYLF describes ‘critical reflection’ as the process of considering issues from multiple perspectives in order to engage with issues of equity and social justice. In essence this is about ensuring a fair and equitable ‘go’ for all children, families and educators within the curriculum. In this practical interactive workshop we will unpack just exactly what this means, how it looks, and how to document and demonstrate that you are doing this across the service in accessible, authentic and time-saving ways.
Stephen Gallen I am a qualified Early Childhood Teacher, with an undergraduate degree focusing on critical theory and developmental psychology, and post-graduate qualifications in Early Childhood Education. With nearly 30 years experience in the field, I have worked as a contact educator for many years, as well as in leadership roles, across long day care, primary and preschool, school aged care and in-home care, working extensively with children from birth to 6 years. I was a founding member of the QUT Student Guild Kelvin Grove Centre (School Street) and have been delivering professional development to the sector since 1998, working with Gowrie Qld, TAFE, QUT, the Workforce Council, Centacare, QLECS, the Community Child Care Association (Victoria), C&K and many other organisations. For many years I was on the panel of providers for PSC for Qld and have worked extensively with rural and remote services, and I am currently on the Professional Reference Body of ECW. My focus is on supporting and empowering educators and organisations around curriculum and pedagogy, and 'demystifying' these sometimes complicated-sounding processes so that they are accessible and authentic. I am also interested in how to work with meaningful curriculum documentation, children's rights and agency, and social justice in Early Childhood and beyond.