An Interview With Neville Dwyer

This is the next in the series of interviews with influential and inspiring men in the Early Childhood Education and Care field. The first in fact of an Aussie, Neville Dwyer.

 

Now many of you, especially those of you not from Australia, might not know who Neville Dwyer is. So let me give you a quick run down of his bio. Neville is currently the Director of Dorothy Waide Centre for Early Learning in Griffith, NSW. He is the Secretary/Treasurer of Community Connections Solutions Australia, a not-for-profit, non-government, membership-based organisation that supports the management of high-quality early childhood services and other community organisations. In 2004 Neville was awarded the National excellence Award for Teaching in Early Childhood.

 

 

So now onto the interview, although as with most of these posts, it's not so much an interview as a series of questions that I sent to Neville and which he replied with his responses. Check out the Centre's Facebook page where you can see photos of their wonderful renovations and read about the exceeding standards rating they recently received. Truly a guiding light in the provision of quality Early Childhood Education and Care.

 

When did you first consider entering the Early Childhood profession?

I entered early childhood by mistake I think. In 1981 when I graduated I was part of the first cohort of primary teachers, who while having a scholarship, completed Uni without guarantee of employment.  In fact there were no teaching positions.  It was just casual, and even then there weren't many opportunities. I took a part job as an assistant with the Griffith Mobile Resource Unit, having zero idea of what it did - I thought it provided resources for schools. Reality was it provided what would be regarded today as supported playgroups and community programs to small communities out of Griffith.  Hillston, Merriwagga, Darlington Point, Yamma Homestead.

There were just two of us and a Toyota coaster bus filled with a few toys and other resources - not much really, operating out of a neighbourhood centre. Within 6 weeks of starting I was the coordinator, and then over 5 years had transformed the service in to a mobile preschool, with an adult education component and also community arts program.

We ran preschool sessions in Rankin's Springs, Weethalle, Goolgowi, Darlington Point and Merriwagga, Playgroup in Hillston and a Dept of Housing Estate in Griffith as well caravan parks.

Was there ever anything else you wanted to do?

Theatre and film.

In your time as an Early Childhood professional have you noticed a change in the way men who enter the field are regarded?

I have never known discrimination against males personally. In fact in my community I don't think it’s really been noticed, we also have a high number of males across all the primary schools - even in early stage one. While there have never been lots of males in the early years, there have always been a few around the local area. We have two male Directors in the community, so we are probably punching above our weight per capita in the EC Sector.

I often hear of problems in other locations, particularly the metro areas where it is often difficult to attract and keep guys in the sector. I have heard of discrimination and active resistance to having men on early childhood teams. I have many friends across the state who would love to have men on their teams, but find it difficult to attract or keep them.

Do think the numbers have changed much, regardless of what the statistics say?

I think it’s growing. Part of that due to the growing understanding of the importance of the early years and that men have a role to play in the early years as well.  I know it’s not the money!  I know in my team, one of my colleagues reckons he has it made, he finds it one of the most enjoyable careers, and says that there can be few jobs in the world where you can have so much impact in a positive way on the lives of children and families.

I think it will continue to grow as we get better in articulating what it is we do in the early years and when men see that have a space there. We have to build that space and also say what it is we do.  Sometimes we don't do that well, and men and women don't work the same way in this space, they complement each other, but bring different qualities and work skills.  It also takes children's services to make their space a safe space for men - not only for males working in the service, but even for fathers and their children. Often I have found in some settings, men (fathers) feel alienated by the staff. In our setting dads are integral to what we do and all our team have great relationships with both parents.

 

Who is/was your inspiration (if you had any) when you first began working with young children? Note: it doesn't necessarily have to be a male.

I am not sure I was inspired by anyone really, not in the early years of teaching because it was pretty lonely and there were few role models in my world.  I was lucky though that I had opportunities to work with June Jeremy from Contact, Judy Finylason from Network (we put on the first Mobile Services Conference in Griffith) and that friendship has lasted a lifetime. When you are in the company of June you get to do some amazing things and meet some incredible people.

When I started at the Centre, I had the opportunity to participate in a Directors course that had been started up by Community Child Care Coop as well. This brought together directors from across the state, in my group mostly from rural NSW, all struggling with this new idea called child care! I met some amazing people then as well - June Wangman, Wendy and John Schiller. I think being around these people provided me with opportunities to see different possibilities.

When I’m in the company of colleagues I have known for years, I’m often say that I’m only here because I stand on the shoulders of giants. I’m lucky I have worked in the sector for a long time, as DWC for 27 years alone. I have worked with lots of people from across the early childhood sector, each person I meet shares with me part of their journey in EC. I still get invited to Mobile Meets, I think I am the only person who has been going to them sense the early days, I get to most of those. Being surrounded by people who work in difficult environments, challenges and who just get the job done, and make a difference inspires me.

Over the last 5 years I have had the great privilege if wing invited to the Aboriginal Children's Services Conference (Aboriginal Early Childhood Support & Learning), we share our stories and I leave lifted up by incredible examples of connected practice built on strong relationships. Some incredibly gifted EC practitioners.

 

Who inspires you now?

Children and families - everyday. Always amazed that parents entrust their children into our care, and always amazed at the complexity of children's thinking and knowing. I don't get that some EC practitioners don't get this and find it so hard to see learning and wonder in young children.

What is your favourite part of your job?

Ahh that’s a hard question. Children are the centre of my world - I know that can sound trite, but in essence they are.  I am friends with kids who I worked with when I first started out. I have been to their birthdays, weddings etc. I even go to music festivals with them.  I think being ivied into a child's world and into a family is an incredible opportunity.

I am lucky, I get to travel a bit in my role now, thanks to my board, but I get to share our stories and practice and also get invited in to others spaces to listen to their stories work with their teams – that’s a rare privilege.

I also get to be involved with a few different projects. I sit on the MacKillop Rural Community Services Board.  This operates out of Dubbo and provides children, family, disability and youth services in eight remote and isolated communities across NSW. I have sat on the board of the CCSA since 1992, in that role we have seen the organisation evolve into one of the key management support services in children's services. I also have the opportunity to work closely with ECA national office, especially in the delivery of support programs for the EYLF and the NQS.

What was your aim/goal when you began this career? What would you say is your goal professionally these days?

It’s always been the same - be the difference in someone’s life. It’s always been about the journey and about doing what is right and has the best outcomes for everyone - but most importantly for the child and their family. I’m lucky I have worked in the community I have grown up in.  That’s rare for most of us.

I think what is different now is that I have a greater understanding of what I do and how it makes a difference. I also get to influence the debate, for some reason people listen to me - sometimes important people listen to me - maybe it’s that hard head!!!

Around our EC practice – it’s not to win awards, or be regarded as "exceeding" our goal is to our best, for just that reason alone. Providing the best experience for the child and family, the fall out is that our team benefit because they get to work in a space that values what they do and supports them. What we do is more complicated than rocket science, we are building brains, to do this well and ensure that each and every child has an opportunity to reach their potential we have to be prepared to think mindfully how this is done each day and that it will be different.

In your capacity as a leader in the EC profession, how have you impacted on the sector as a whole?

I never intended to be a leader. My only goal was do my best and to encourage those around me to do the same. I have been lucky that I have gathered around me people who get how my head works - which can be a struggle for me and others sometimes.  We just do our job. I am often surprised that people look to us an example - because we don't seek that.  I certainly don't, what may surpass most is that I actually don't like people very much, I struggle with adults all the time. Yes I can talk in public, but it’s a struggle for me - a bit like a performance really.

I’m not sure I impact in a huge way on early childhood.  I think the profile i seem to have at this moment can be contributed to my hard headedness and maybe a letter I wrote to Maxine McKew a few years ago, it lead me to being part of the early development of the Early Years Learning Framework, I was one the few EC practitioners at the symposiums that began thinking on the EYLF.  Prior to that my role with CCSA lead me to sit on the Advisory committee that developed the NSW Curriculum Framework.

 

Have you influenced many men considering or already engaged in a career in early childhood education?

Some of my staff that I work with were children in my care, including one of the guys I worked with. Not sure I'm the best role model for blokes, but I do have opportunities now to talk with students at Uni and am often talking with male students.  Hopefully it gets them into the sector. Or maybe encourages others to take men on.

 

Do you have any words of wisdom or advice for guys out there considering or beginning a career in ECE?

Best job in the world. Seriously, we should be doing the thing that we enjoy and that brings a smile to our dial everyday. It’s not about competing with anyone but ourselves.  Understanding that men and women bring different and complimenting qualities to an early childhood space is important.

We all need to do the thing we are passionate about and do it with the best intention, and do it well.  In early childhood this is a shared role, we share in the lives of families, we support and build families, and we give them the power to make good decisions.  We empower children to dream and grow.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of the universe. You’re playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. ........... It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” This is one of my favourite quotes by Marianne Williamson (author) it drives me to be mindful about my role and to dream big.  Being a leader isn't about being out the front, in fact the best leaders are those you don't see, or who you notice from a distance, but when you get up close its difficult to define them, or point them out, because they are surrounded by leaders.

What do you think you’d be doing if you weren’t working in early childhood?

Theatre or film, but hey I get to do that now anyway.  I run an arts event management project, do part time film work, graphic design, websites, and community development.

Is there anything else you would like to add; a funny story perhaps?

We were celebrating 30 years of CONTACT Inc with a cocktail party at the Governor Generals sydney residence.  I have known Quentin Bryce for years, in fact when she took on the role of head of NCAC we invited her to a regional conference in Wagga and it was one of her first presentations in that role.  Anyway, at the Cocktail party, which happened to fall on my birthday, the GG broke all protocols by singing happy birthday to me, something her advisors said was a rare privilege as the representative of the Queen. A great friend, and a wonderful, respectful woman, who has done a lot for early childhood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gecko Awards 2013

In 2011 I introduced an award for all those bloggers out there that inspired me and who I felt were leading lights in the Early Childhood Education field. I named them the GECKO Awards.

Want to know what GECKO stands for? It's Global Early Childhood and Kinder Osmosis. I planned to present them annually, but I totally forgot about it in 2012. So I have decided now is as good a time as any to resurrect them.

Here's a tip too. Go have a read of my original post to see who received the first batch of awards.

Now I will not discriminate. Just because someone received an award last time does not mean they are not eligible again. This time however, I have decided to create a few categories. Unlike other awards though, there isn't any voting and it is not a popularity contest. Nor is there a limit to the number of recipients in any category.

So let's get the ball rolling......

New Blogger/Site: Includes both new blogs/sites as well as more established ones that have recently been discovered by me.

Let Toys Be Toys - For Girls and Boys: This site is merely a petition against the gender stereotyping of toys for sale in the UK and Ireland. All their activity occurs on their Facebook page.

Advocating on Behalf of Males in ECE: Organisations or people who promote the benefits of increasing the number of males in the EC field.

Irresistible Ideas for Play Based Learning: These ladies do just about everything to help those within the EC field, but Donna in particular goes well out of her way to support Male EC professionals and promote men in the field.

Child Forum: A New Zealand site that does so much for the EC sector worldwide and part of that is the call for more men in EC through research. Sarah Farquhar in particular is a strong proponent of the Males in EC cause.

MenTeach: This site, while US-based, is relevant anywhere in the world as it has links, stories and research from all corners of the globe.

Promoting Play:  We all think about and 'do' play, but this  is for those who are out there spreading the word to the world.

Let the Children Play: You will be hard pressed to find anyone who does more to promote the benefits of play for children in a blog than Jennifer Kable. Not only does Jenny share plenty of her own tremendous experiences she is also a firm believer in spreading the word of the good work that others do.

Marc Armitage: A playwork consultant from England, Marc works tirelessly for the betterment of children the world over. He is passionate about the benefits of play to children's overall development and wellbeing.

Play England: A site dedicated to advocating for the rights of children to play. They do this by providing training, access to relevant research literature, and campaigning decisions-makers.

Teacher Tom: Tom Hobson is much better known by his alter ego. What else he is known for is the hands on, engaging, and interesting play the children at his cooperative centre are involved in every day. There is risk-taking, problem-solving, negotiation, explorations, creativity, and so much more going on.

Naturally Nature: For those who go above and beyond to ensure everyone is aware of the awesomeness of exploring nature and natural materials.

Learning For Life: Kierna Corr proudly promotes the benefits for children to explore the outdoors no matter the weather. The Quote on the site's header says it all - "Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, and snow is exhilarating; there is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather."

I'm a Teacher, Get Me OUTSIDE Here!: Juliet does more than just blog about nature, she provides first hand accounts of her experiences working with the Forest Schools of Northern Europe and seeks to educate people on ways to create more natural playspaces and the benefits and children engaging with nature during play. Just to keep you on your toes, Juliet's Facebook page goes by the title Creative STAR Learning Company.

There for Parents: This is for those who specifically help and encourage parents.

Regarding Baby: Lisa Sunbury offers advice, support and a wealth of information for parents, particularly in regards to babies and young toddlers. Her words of wisdom are second to none.

Aunt Annie's Childcare: 'Aunt Annie' is a source of wisdom and advice for anyone with children in their lives from parents to early childhood professionals. Even policy makers would do well to take heed, but perhaps that is wishing for too much.

Helping Us Better Ourselves: We all need to continue our learning journey and these people/organisations help us do just that.

Inspired EC: An Australian consultancy service who, apart from other things deliver workshops, host conferences, provide networking and support group opportunities, and all by drawing on the best internationally renowned EC trainers. Natashja Treveton, Nicole Sheehan, and Niki Buchan are local inspirations on a global scale.

Claire Warden: Claire is a world renowned advocate for children and those working with them. She strongly supports engaging with the environment, providing challenging experiences and believing in the capabilities of all children. If you are lucky enough to hear Claire speak you will be inspired and energised for a long time to come.

Anyone I May Have Missed: For those who don't comfortably sit in any of the above categories.

Child's Play Music: Most people are aware of the joys music brings to young children's lives, but Alec takes it one step further and creates his own instruments out of discarded materials. The ultimate upcylcling.

Dorothy Waide Centre for Early Learning: This is actually a centre-based service in the township of Griffith, NSW, Australia. The reason it is included here is that it is a striking example of excellence and highest quality care and education of young children. Their outdoor play spaces are full of natural wonders that children will never tire of exploring while the indoor environments are equally inspiring, challenging, thought provoking and inviting. I could write a whole post on this marvellous service and may actually have to some day. For now we'll just settle for awarding them a GECKO.

Well that's it, but I must add that there are countless other individuals, groups, and organisations out thee that do great things for children, their families, the community and society in general. If you don't find yourself or your team on this list please don't be disappointed or offended. it is a very difficult task and I couldn't possibly name everyone who deserves it.

If you like however, you could include your own suggestions of sites that inspire and inform you in the comments.

A Breath of Fresh Air

We are all for more voices advocating for men working with young children. It is better when those new voices are students who already realise that more needs to be done to increase the presence of males in the Early Childhood Education sector. What is perhaps the best news is that these new student advocates for males are female.



They are Males in Early Childhood Education and are from Humber College in Toronto, Ontario.

Although just starting out, I think it's important we give these wonderful young professionals the support they deserve. So pay them a visit and say hi or offer you own insight into your experiences.

The More Things Change The More They Stay The Same (It Would Seem)

You don't have to go far to realise that the Early Childhood profession and society in general are becoming far more accepting and supportive of men working with young children. Personally I get countless comments from parents and colleagues on a daily basis about how wonderful it is to see a man with the children. How 'good' it is for the children (their words, not mine). What a breath of fresh air it is. How much the children (often boys) love having me or some other guy around.

Just last week a neighbouring centre's preschool room visited us for a picnic lunch and a male casual was with them. Now I was not present on the day (most unfortunate for me), but I heard several account on how marvellous he was with the children. He had them engaged with an impromptu group experience where he took a number of various types of gloves, gave them a personality according to their appearance and 'spoke' to the children and the other gloves through them. He also fully engaged with them during their play and exploration of the playground. I have been told that his interactions are to be held up as examples of how to engage with children authentically.

Now that is a wonderfully positive story and it is not a lone account. However, thee are still worrying incidents occurring out there that I have seen or heard first hand, or have been told about.



Things such as female colleagues telling male counterparts outright that they don't belong because of their gender. Instructors at training/educational institutions showing a bias against the males studying. Parents requesting that the man not be in their child's room or be present during toileting/nappy changing. Only employing men to work with older age groups. Men from outside the field viewing those who work with young children with suspicion, disdain and often hatred.

All these instances are regretful in the least and completely unforgivable to many. In the present day, how can a so-called professionals, and even academics, have such outmoded views? How can a women, for example, think and express a feeling that men are not capable of being in the Early Years field when they would scream blue murder if the same stance was taken against a woman wanting to enter a male-dominated workforce?

There are so many other questions that need to be asked, but I would need to write a mid-sized book to cover all areas comprehensively. My main question is this. How can such views and attitudes be allowed to exist, and even prosper in today's society? Have we really not progressed that far?

I would like to think that I have access to a skewed example of what is really representative of the Early Childhood Education and Care world.

The Men (& Women) Are Coming!

Although it is Easter, there will be no Easter craft ideas here. Instead I would like to take the opportunity to advise everyone of the upcoming conference, "Unwrapping - Rediscovering the Unlimited Potential of Play" hosted by Inspired EC in Shoal Bay, NSW on August 3rd and 4th this year. Two of the Keynote Speakers will be world renowned and respected men within the field of Early Childhood Education and Care.

 

First of all there is Marc Armitage. Marc is a playworker from England. Now the term 'playworker' is not widely known within Australia, so if you would like to learn more about what it entails perhaps you should visit Marc's site.

 

Then we have Tom Hobson, better known to most of you as Teacher Tom. Tom is the only educator at his Woodland Park Cooperative Preschool in Seattle, Washington.

Both men have much to offer in regards to the benefit of play for young children and just as importantly, they are excellent examples of men working within the Early Childhood Education field. They are both great advocates for EC professionals, regardless of their gender, and guys to look up to for inspiration and guidance if you are a bloke in the industry.

So make it to the conference if you can and as a bonus (or consolation prize) you may get to meet me.

 

 

It has been brought to my attention that by highlighting the men who will be presenting at this conference I omitted the very talented and highly distinguished Niki Buchan. Niki has been at the forefront of the Early Childhood profession in three continents. We are lucky enough to have her here in Australia with us now and wouldn't trade her for anyone.