Title
Breaking the Silence: Connecting and Strengthening the Voices of Christian Early Childhood Professionals in Australia through developing Communities of Practice aligned with the aims of the Australian Early Childhood Christian Educators Association
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
4-2018
Publication Details
This conference paper was originally published as:
Judge, K. (2018). Breaking the silence: Connecting and strengthening the voices of Christian early childhood professionals in Australia through developing communities of practice aligned with the aims of the Australian Early Childhood Christian Educators Association. In A. Gibson, & C. Chihota (Eds.), Modelling Christ's Love and Hope within Professional Practice. Paper presented at the International Conference for Christian Educators, ASB Arena, Mt Maunganui, 11-13 April (pp. 143-160). Tauranga, New Zealand: Bethlehem Tertiary Institute (BTI) Publishing.
ISBN: 9780473435622
ANZSRC / FoR Code
130102 Early Childhood Education (excl. Maori)
Avondale Research Centre
Christian Education Research Centre
Reportable Items
E1
Abstract
There are many Christian, Early Childhood services in Australia, but minimal professional development support networks. There is a shortage of appropriately trained Christian Early Childhood educators and academics to sustain current employment levels. There is also a gap in research in relation to Christian Early Childhood leadership and practice. A strong compliance and standards based approach to leadership is presenting a critical challenge to the Early Childhood profession within Australia and globally. Prominent Australian Early Childhood leaders have raised the alarm and given the call for Early Childhood educators to pushback against the destructive forces of neoliberalism.
I propose that through a Communities of Practice (CoP) model ACECEA can present a united, dynamic approach towards providing authentic solutions to micro and macro, political and social, early childhood concerns. This paper describes the recent initiatives and research directions of Christian Early Childhood leaders who presented a united voice at the inaugural conference of the Australian Christian Early Childhood Educators Association in September 2017. Through ‘Modelling Christ’s Love’, Christian Early Childhood educators and leaders, across Australia and New Zealand are invited to unite their voices through research informed dynamic Communities of Practice in the best interests of young children.
Recommended Citation
Judge, K. (2018). Breaking the silence: Connecting and strengthening the voices of Christian early childhood professionals in Australia through developing communities of practice aligned with the aims of the Australian Early Childhood Christian Educators Association. In A. Gibson, & C. Chihota (Eds.), Modelling Christ's Love and Hope within Professional Practice. Paper presented at the International Conference for Christian Educators, ASB Arena, Mt Maunganui, 11-13 April (pp. 143-160). Tauranga, New Zealand: Bethlehem Tertiary Institute (BTI) Publishing.
Comments
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