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Affinity Education Group marks International Women’s Day with virtual event
Freya Lucas
Mar 15, 2022
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More than 150 employees of Affinity Education Group joined a virtual event hosted by Chief People Officer Linda Carroll in acknowledgement of International Women’s Day, and the theme “Break the Bias”.
During the event Affinity Education explored the roles and opportunities early childhood educators have to create bias-free opportunities for the women of the future, with a special focus on the role of STEM education to make both available and encourage young girls to develop a lifelong love of learning.Keynote speakers at the event included:
- Elizabeth Death, CEO of ELACCA
- Dr Tess Boyle, STEM Educator and author of Affinity’s soon to be released Big Thinkers Early Education STEM Curriculum
- Cathy Montesin, CFO at Affinity Education.
Ms Death discussed the role educators play in raising awareness of women’s equality and breaking down bias within the community while Dr Lesley Jones, Head of Pedagogy and Practice at Affinity, interviewed Dr Tess Boyle who has a wealth of teaching and academic background with a focus on STEM education. Dr Boyle shared facts about women and girls in STEM and the importance of introducing children, particularly young girls to the world of STEM.
She shared career highlights from her time as a teacher and educator, including the joy her role brings in seeing children’s faces light up as they make new discoveries. She also discussed the importance of encouraging children to explore STEM as part of their everyday life, harnessing their natural curiosity and demystifying STEM as a powerful way to change perceptions and break down biases for future career and work choices.
Affinity CFO Cathy Monstein spoke about her experiences as both a C-Suite leader and mother of three daughters, and the role her own mother played in setting her up early for future success. She also gave a nod to her accounting teacher who inspired her chosen career path to enter into the business world.
“It’s important to raise people’s consciousness to be more aware of natural biases,” Ms Monstein said. “In doing so, the more we bring to the fore in the future, the more opportunity we have to change people’s thinking and behaviour.”
During the call Affinity also celebrated and recognised 16 of Affinity’s amazing and inspirational women educators, centre managers and operations teams across Australia.
Special recognition was given to Charlene Dean from Papilio Early Learning Blackburn, Samantha Ellis from Kids Academy Regentville, Tala Pothecary from Milestones Early Learning Tingalpa and Kerri Kyte, Affinity Operations Manager, Western Australia and Northern Territory.
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