25 years as an educator fulfills Carol Doran’s lifelong dream of teaching kindergarten

For early childhood teacher (ECT) and nominated supervisor Carol Doran, teaching kindergarten has been a lifelong ambition, ever since she started kindergarten herself in 1959. 

“I loved my kindergarten teacher and have fond memories of my time at kinder. As a child, I played schools with my brother and sisters and I was always keen to be the teacher. My career has brought me much pleasure,” she shared during a milestone year in 2021 which saw her celebrate 25 years working with early childhood education and care (ECEC) provider ECMS.

After attaining a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood), Carol’s first job took her to a school in Zeehan (a Tasmanian mining town). She moved to Victoria in 1994 with her husband and two small children and worked as a relief teacher at her daughter’s primary school before landing a role educating the three year old group at Yallambie Park Preschool, moving to take over teaching the four year olds five years later, a role she still enjoys today. 

Carol, who is also the Nominated Supervisor of her service was celebrated at ECMS’ annual conference for completing 25 years’ service.

“Every day is different,” she explained. 

“I love building connections with the children and families and seeing the joy on a child’s face when they have mastered a skill that they have been working on.I love it when children and families refer to Yallambie Park as their kindergarten. It is a wonderful feeling to be part of this very supportive community. The thing I love most is the people: the enthusiastic and dedicated team of educators, the children and their families.”

Carol appreciates that the children attending preschool now are definitely more IT savvy.

“I think technology is just another tool we can access to educate children. (But) no more important than good quality children’s literature, blocks, paper, paint or pencils,” she maintains.  “I am saddened when I see phones and iPads used as baby sitters. The most precious gift we can give children is to be in the present with them, as teachers, parents, friends and advocates.”

What really excites Carol is seeing children lead their own play, being confident, inclusive, collaborative and using their imagination to extend their learning and that of those around them.

“If children have confident self-identities, know what they are good at and have the ability to seek help when they require it, can build positive, trusting relationships and see themselves as learners with a ‘have a go’ attitude, then they are well prepared to embrace the challenges of more formal primary school learning.”

Carol sees the primary purpose of her Nominated Supervisor role as inspiring and supporting her team to use their skills and passions to provide the best possible outcomes for the children and families, in addition to acting as a bridge to the area managers and ECMS Support Services.

A highlight of her 25 years has been the ECMS Trans-Tasman initiative in 2016. 

“I was so proud to stand beside my seven colleagues at our graduation ceremony in Wellington, New Zealand when we received our Post Graduate Diploma in Leadership from Te Rito Maioha.”

Away from work, Carol likes walking her Golden Retriever (Willow) through the bush near her Greensborough home, watching movies and café brunches. Sometimes she spots former pre-schoolers at the local supermarket and welcomes ex-students back to Yallambie Park for work experience.

Once COVID calms, she hopes to travel to Japan to visit eldest daughter, Steph, who lives in Osaka. 

To learn more about Yallambie Park Preschool please visit the link provided.