Page 35 - Scholarship Guide Feb 2020

POH JIA YI, BEE 33

What sparks your interest training programmes that helps continually learning experiences beyond classroom
1 in Early Childhood Care and develop different skillsets that are required together with the different community
stakeholders.
at different levels. As a leader, we continue
Education? to hone our leadership skills in the Early
Since young, I have always aspired to be a Childhood sector. We have a close knitted Share with us one of your
teacher. I enjoyed taking care of the younger group of professionals for community 6 most rewarding moments
children in my family, which gave me a sense learning, sharing leadership experiences and
of fulfi lment, and this was what shaped my practices. as an Early Childhood
dream to nurture young lives. Hence, being Educator.
an early childhood educator is, to me an ideal Share with us how do It is rewarding when I can support children
and meaningful job.
4 you keep up with best from high-risk families to ensure that
they have a good start in life, like many of
What are the opportunities practices in your centre? their peers. I would monitor the children’s
2 that the company have I believe it is the responsibility of everyone attendance and check in with different
to build the community that we want to
stakeholders to understand the needs
given during your employment live in and educators can tap on the learning and well-being of the children. It could be
with NTUC First Campus environment to facilitate child-directed speaking to parents or family members,
(NFC)? learning. As mentioned, NFC supports our teachers, social workers and specialists. The
continuous
professional
development.
time and effort spent to pull these families
During my employment with NTUC First Therefore, we had opportunities to attend together is the most rewarding moment.
Campus (NFC), I took a degree in Early sponsored overseas learning journey and
Childhood Education with Wheelock College learn best practices from other countries. As Do you have any advice for
(offered as a collaboration with Singapore such, I have benefi tted from my week-long
Institute of Technology). This was sponsored learning journey to Reggio Emilia, Italy. The 7 interested parties who are
by the company after working with them for Reggio Emilia approach values home-school considering to join this sector
1.5 years. involvement and uses the environment / take up a NFC Pre-Service
as the third teacher in class. The learning
Having prior experience working with young journey experience allowed me to witness Scholarship?
children helped me better contextualise and the approach and practices in action with a In the novice teacher phase, it can be
expanded my perspective on how I could deeper understanding on top of my usual challenging to juggle between different
make a difference in the Early Childhood learning through reading. duties– from understanding how to take
sector. Upon completion of the course, I was on a class for the fi rst time, communicating
able to apply, contribute and innovate the Being a refl ective practitioner, I adapted effectively with parents and stakeholders,
learnings in my teaching capacity. several good ideas and introduced it to supporting school operations and carrying
the teachers at the centre. Some of which out required administration. With constant
In 2012, I was given the opportunity to were to introduce loose parts as part of the refl ection and a positive mind-set, the job will
attend an in-house Principal-in-training classroom resources for children to explore develop you to become a better individual
leadership course, which equipped me with and strengthening collaboration with families and to overcome challenges. Be as inquisitive
skills and knowledge as a centre leader. I was and community partners. I was happy to as a child and keep an open mind in gaining
also selected to join an external leadership be able to share my experiences with other new perspectives and skills. I am glad that
programme, Principal Matters, which Early Childhood professionals. there is Pre-Service Scholarship offered by
broadened my leadership exposure. In 2019, NFC today to identify early childhood talents
I was nominated to embark on a 3-year Share with us one of your early and to embark on this journey with
ECDA leadership programme, Professional 5 biggest achievements or us after enrolment into the Early Childhood
Development Programme – Leadership Degree programme. I will encourage those
(PDP-L). I continuously stay equipped with memorable encounters as an who possess the interest and commitment
new skills that have since helped in my Early Childhood Educator. to consider this new scholarship.
leadership journey. My greatest achievement was the pilot and
implementation of the intergenerational * Name of Scholarship: NTUC First Campus
How did the company programme at my centre. It was very Pre-Service Scholarship
3 support in your career meaningful and satisfying to see how the
children developed social skills, inculcate
growth? values and love through interaction with
NFC fosters a very strong learning culture seniors. On the other hand, the seniors were
where we are encouraged to progressively well-engaged through activities such as
grow. The organisation provides a strong storytelling, music and dance, art and craft,
mentoring and support structure to enhance morning walks and community exercise. The
my competencies. Such support allows me teachers also experienced the warmth from
to progress towards a career pathway (e.g. such community collaboration. This initiative
Leadership / Specialist track) that best suits had been scaled up to involve many of our
me. The robust training and development centres. Community resources are benefi cial
allows me to attend numerous skills related in extending curriculum as it encourages