Leadership is about positively influencing early childhood best practices by applying your knowledge, skills, personality, and experience.
Every educator has the potential to lead and thus improve opportunities for children and their families. Educators can promote developmentally appropriate approaches to working with children, which supports professional growth and development.
On 5 November 2022, SEGi College Penang, with Leaderland, organised a career talk for all the DECE and BAEYE students in conjunction with the ECE month celebration at Auditorium, SEGi College Penang.
Coach Ann, the co-founder and current HR director of Leaderland, was the event’s main speaker. She has over 30 years of experience in the field of Early Childhood Education. She earned a Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education from the University of Melbourne in Australia.
During the talk, Coach Ann shared that three identities are required to become a 21st-century educator: educator, entertainer, and entrepreneur. To become a 21st-century educator, one would also need to have the mindset of an entertainer and an entrepreneur.
Coach Ann also asked the students to write down the qualities they believe they possess and helped them to understand the qualities needed to become a 21st-century educator and leader. The students then visualised how these qualities can be further distilled into three key aspects – leadership, character, and value.
Following the first session, a few other Leaderland coaches shared their life experiences. Coach Brendon shared his passion for early childhood education and how Leaderland helped him to realise his dreams of teaching young children.
Coach Sher Nee shared her transition from biomedical science to early childhood education. She said she found her life’s purpose in raising young children and teaching them the fundamentals. She also said that it is important for SEGi students to find their calling to live a more fulfilled life and career.
Coach June shared her professional experience in Leaderland and the company’s efforts in corporate social responsibility (CSR). She said that she believes the organisation’s culture is distinct from any other preschool, as Leaderland places a premium on the family. She noted that Leaderland employees and employers played a vital role in helping her to overcome the financial difficulties in caring for her cancer-stricken daughter.
