Sara Stockman, Teaching Pyramid Facilitator
Kurrajong Early Childhood Intervention Service
Email SStockman@kw.org.au Phone: 02 69238400
I have such great pleasure in my role as Teaching Pyramid Facilitator with Kurrajong Early Childhood Intervention Service. This position has been created to provide FREE direct support to ECEC services to further support and enhance inclusive practices for all children.
Although this role is new, the model has been extensively rolled out in several US states over a number of years, providing us with rich research and resources on which to learn and grow.
So who am I and where did I come from?
Having obtained my degree in Early Childhood
Studies through University of Melbourne in 1996, I haven’t looked back. Quite literally, from bachelor degree to
teaching pyramid facilitator, the journey has been varied, outside of the box
and paved with adventure and international experience. Following an early career as Director of a
community-based preschool in Melbourne, during which time I managed brief
exploration of Africa and Thailand, making sure to stop and play with the
children, I moved to London just prior to the millennium to put my hand to
primary school, reception, nursery and special school teaching. Two years later, I flittered through Wagga
and enjoyed 8 months at a long day service in Estella, finally succumbing once
more to the travel bug and setting off this time for Ireland.
Ireland was a directional change, but inspired by
all Early Childhood management, policy development and practice reflection, I
threw myself into first working with Science Foundation Ireland under the
Director of Corporate Governance, International Relations and Board Management,
and subsequently as the Project Manager for the development and roll out of the
Discover Primary Science (DPS) program, Discover Science & Engineering,
funded by Dept. of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. During this time I also trained as a yoga
teacher in India.
Turns and turns of events – a whole country roll
out of DPS training the trainers in the program designed to support the focus
on science in the new Irish Primary curriculum, including creation and delivery
of regional Awards of Science Excellence, a baby girl (my own creation!), and
the post maternity role of Discover Sensors Program Manager, supporting
Secondary School science teachers to explore and implement investigative
teaching methodology with their students, my now larger family (Irish husband,
girl, and baby boy) relocated back to Australia, landing first in Sydney (as is
the custom).
Two years as Family Day Care provider in our rental
house, and setting up an electronic forum for all the FDCarers in the Eastern
Suburbs of Waverley, we then made the tree-change to my home town, Wagga
Wagga.
Initially finding a niche for two
years as the project officer Supporting Children with Additional Needs (SCAN)
in all Riverina and Murray preschools through CareWest, I am now the Teaching
Pyramid Facilitator based at Kurrajong Early Childhood Intervention
Service. In this, my current role, I
have discovered an opportunity to explore the always intriguing, often
mystifying elements associated with social emotional development, adult
learning, and community inclusive practices.
I continue to love the international relations afforded in this role
(due to the bonds with the Florida-based creator, Mary Louise Hemmeter), and
see it as only fitting that I excessively gush, spout, share wherever possible
these affirming principles of practice that ultimately support the social
emotional competency development for all children within our fantastic early
childhood services.
So what is The Teaching Pyramid? The teaching pyramid is a model for supporting social and emotional competence and preventing challenging behaviours in young children. This four tiered framework complements and supports National Quality Framework and Early Years Learning Framework, and provides an excellent model for self-reflection with a view to enhancing inclusive practice.
The major principles focus on promotion, prevention and intervention. The model is well researched and evidence shows that it has dramatically improved inclusive practices, significantly reduced challenging behaviours and increased child development outcomes. An overview is available by clicking on the tab: Teaching Pyramid - Overview.
In the capacity of Teaching Pyramid Facilitator, I am in a position to provide FREE:
- One hour Teaching Pyramid pre-recorded introduction presentation : available for staff meetings, workshops, EC Network Meetings or to watch at your convenience (see Overview tab).
- FREE training equal to 2 days (16 hours) available for professional development within services - delivery created to suit your service during school hours.
- Facilitate networking and further supports to encourage embedded practice.
- Coaching to support the ongoing implementation of the principles of the teaching pyramid model.
- For further information or to book a session, please contact Sara Stockman.
- Alternatively submit your interest through the survey below.
