2024 VEYA Finalist Series: Educator of the Year

Freya Lucas

Oct 18, 2024

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The Victorian Early Years Awards (VEYA) are an opportunity for the best and brightest Victorian early childhood professionals to be recognised for the exceptional contribution they make to early childhood education and care (ECEC).

Now in their 19th year, the awards are an opportunity to showcase the inspiring work being done in the Victorian ECEC sector, with finalists exemplifying the vital work happening across the sector. This is the final article in The Sector series in the lead up to the announcement of the award winners on 7 November 2024. This week we are showcasing finalists from the Educator of the Year category.

This award recognises an early childhood educator who has demonstrated innovative and exemplary practice in early childhood education and care. Their nomination will demonstrate how they have made a significant contribution to the delivery of high-quality early childhood education programs and/or achieved significant improvements in children’s learning and development outcomes. Finalist – Margot Serena, Craig Family Centre

Margot Serena is an early childhood educator known for the culturally safe, caring and reliable service she delivers to the diverse group of children in her care, many of whom are from vulnerable backgrounds. She offers the children innovative, engaging and varied learning opportunities to encourage curiosity, creativity, inquiry and enthusiasm for learning.

Margot and the educators in her room don’t rush children at play, instead they invite them to contribute to the experiences, allowing time for critical thinking and problem solving so they develop a strong sense of worth, autonomy and agency. Margot supports the children to develop understanding and respect for their peers during group interactions where they learn from each other and establish a sense of belonging.

To support high-quality programming, Margot encourages families to contribute to their child’s learning experiences, while embracing their cultures, customs, languages and beliefs to enrich the children’s learning and cultivate inclusion.

Finalist – Shashika Lakmini Kotu Durage - Goodstart Early Learning Greenvale

Shashika Lakmini Kotu Durage is an educator who inspires young minds through play and intentional teaching practices. Play is a fundamental component of her holistic teaching strategy, through which she addresses the physical, emotional, social and cognitive development of each child.

Responsiveness to children’s interests and needs is central to her practice and guides activities. Allowing children to explore and discover at their own pace, Shashika nurtures creativity through play-based learning. Shashika’s classroom is arranged for maximum engagement with diverse learning stations to encourage exploration and independence. In response to their interest in the garden, Shashika developed a project around plant life cycles, adapting the program to reflect children’s needs and interests.

Shashika establishes strong relationships with families to better understand family dynamics and cultural backgrounds. Regular communications through newsletters, parent-teacher conferences and informal conversations builds strong partnerships that effectively support children’s learning and development at home and in the classroom. Finalist – Raelene Carr, William Hovell Preschool Throughout her long career, educator Raelene Carr has been dedicated to effectively connecting with children who experience high levels of disadvantage and vulnerability to support their learning and wellbeing.

Raelene’s primary goal is to build a relationship with each child so she understands them and the main influences in their lives. This informs how she creates learning activities and experiences that extend and support each child’s learning. Raelene’s curriculum focuses on pro-social skills for emotional regulation to develop social and communication skills. Importantly, she reflects back to the children her unwavering belief in them as confident and capable learners whose ideas and feelings are valued and important.

Raelene’s caring, calm, and consistent approach, along with her dedication to developing strong relationships with families, has led to positive outcomes in relation to the health and wellbeing of children at William Hovell Preschool. The winners of the 2024 VEYA will be named on Thursday 7 November 2024. Learn more about the Awards, and view the finalists in all categories.

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