Educational Leader Sophie Russell is an ECEC VET champion in Victoria

Freya Lucas

Feb 06, 2023

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Early childhood educator and educational leader Sophie Russell, currently employed by Pooh Bear’s House Early Learning Centre has a special role in Victoria, serving as a vocational education and training (VET) champion.

VET champions visit schools and sector and industry events to talk about their experiences with VET. Ms Russell began her employment at her service as a trainee, progressing to the position of educational leader having completed her Certificate III in Early Childhood and then her Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care.

“I loved school and completed an early childhood traineeship after VCE. I loved it so much that I did a Diploma straight afterwards, and I couldn’t be happier working with children every day,” Ms Russell said.

“As the Educational Leader in the centre, I work with all of the early childhood educators to make sure we are inspiring young children's minds and fostering their learning and development.”

Her advice for others who are considering their path beyond high school is “research, research, research. Choose what feels best for you; don’t be influenced by anyone else.”

One of the greatest benefits of the VET pathway, she believes, is that you can “get into the workplace and prove yourself straight away”.

“I put a lot of pressure on myself to work hard and do really well.,” she explained “I absolutely love my job and I’m now in a leadership position which is so unexpected because I’m still so young.”

The best part about her job, she continued, is the children. The thing she believes people need to be the most aware of before entering the ECEC sector is that “there is a lot of paperwork – planning, documentation, lesson planning and professional development.”

To learn more about the VET champions program, please see here.

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