With a passion for early education and a keen, analytical approach, I have delivered on a number of innovations in the sector. As a personal project, I developed an educational program for age 2 to 5 based on the Australian Curriculum for primary school. Involving over two years of research and writing, I compared the Australian Early Years Learning Framework with the Australian Early Stage 1 Curriculum and researched other early learning frameworks from countries such as the UK, Singapore, Sweden, Finland and Norway. Detailed analysis as well as interviews with current teachers led to the first comprehensive guide for educators on Key Learning Areas for the Early years.

I have also become involved in advocacy and contributed to key policy decisions through my volunteer work with the Australian Childcare Alliance NSW. Currently serving as the Vice President, I have written many parliamentary briefing papers, submissions and white papers for ACA NSW and have represented them at meetings with various ministers and key stakeholders.

I sit on numerous boards and forums including the Western Sydney University Early Childhood Roundtable, NSW Department of Education's Advisory panel, NESA Teacher Accreditation Working party and more. I am also an active member of groups such as ECA and CELA.

I have presented at conferences such as the Early Years Expo, World Forum on Early Education and Care and the International Early Childhood Symposium (IECS). I am also the founder and administrator of the Friends of World Forum and the IECS facebook pages. Through these channels I regularly share current research and ideas on Early Childhood Education and engage with teachers from around the world.

In April 2018 I became one of the first ECT Accreditation Supervisors for the NSW Education Standards Authority. Having undertaken the relevant training and with a commitment to quality and leadership in the sector, I am currently supervising and supporting my first graduate teacher on their accreditation journey.

One of my proudest achievements was organising the IECS in Sydney this year. My experience at the World Forum on Early Education in 2017 inspired me to try and recreate a similar experience in Sydney. Having presented my proposal to the ACANSW board, I received permission and funding to organise the IECS. After nearly 9 months of hard work, it was wonderful to see it all come together and hear such positive feedback from everyone. We had speakers from as far as South Africa, Nepal, UK and USA as well as many local and interstate presenters. The close friendships and networks formed as a result of the IECS was very rewarding to witness.

I am fortunate to have an understanding and supportive employer as well as a progressive team of staff that I lead as director and educational leader of multiple services. Their continued support allows me to be involved in multiple projects and I am grateful to be able to share my learning with them. Having an understanding of cutting edge practices and ideas allows my centres to grow and thrive.