Professional development

QLD educators invited to evolve pedagogy through art at free Goodstart PD session

Freya Lucas

May 12, 2021

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Educators in Queensland have been invited to a free professional development session focusing on evolving pedagogical practice through the arts, led by award-winning lecturer Al Ohlsen.

The session, described as “a genuinely inspiring arts workshop, based around less conventional ideas and methods,” is being hosted by Goodstart Red Hill, who will not only host the workshop, but also invite educators and other interested early childhood professionals to network with one another, tour the service, and engage with Centre Director Renee and ECT Program Manager Adele. The session, Renee said, will be “refreshing and motivating; it will give people extra energy”.

This energy is something that Renee brings to her leadership, having held her role at Red Hill for nearly 20 years. Red Hill as a service has been described as “an inspired showcase for play-based learning and professionalism where turnover of staff is low, and the waiting list for children is long.”

After a year of Zoom meetings and virtual connections, Renee and her team were keen to offer an opportunity for educators to engage in a “hands on” experience, which was the inspiration for opening the service and the professional development opportunity up to the community.

“We wanted to create an event that invited others to come along and see our environment and share our vision,” Renee explained. “We have more than 5,500 people following our journey online and this is a chance for some of them to experience our creative and inspiring ideas in person.”

Mr Ohlsen’s workshop will engage and inspire educators, something which is a hallmark of the professional development opportunities Renee seeks to bring to her team.

“I really value professional development,” she shared. “I pride myself on creating a positive environment for my team, and I’m passionate about skills-based arts education. It’s a fantastic opportunity for educators to get some hands-on training to then be able to support children to express themselves through the arts.”

If successful, the event is set to be the start of a series of workshops and events.

“Free professional development is such a wonderful opportunity for everyone,” Renee said. “The ability to be hands-on and engaging in art and professional conversations with other educators is invaluable. We are really hoping to attract some keen early childhood professionals to come together for a delightful afternoon of networking and learning.”

Registrations for the workshop are now open, and may be accessed here.

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