HEATHER GAMMON
Cootamundra
Summary
I am a passionate families, community and children advocate with 23 years experience working as a teacher and Director Manager for the Early Childhood sector. I am determined and experienced in family, community and staff rapport, budgeting and accounting, policy and procedure development, compliance, human resources, strategic planning and have a high passion for leadership development. I am a passionate individual and consider myself highly regarded by work colleagues in regards to the knowledge and experience I bring to a service. Highly capable in successfully resolving conflicts, performance management and inspiring others. I have been asked to facilitate many service and community presentations to inspire and create meaning. I am pursuing a new role where hard work and dedication will be highly valued.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Pedagogical Leader/Assistant Director
Creekside Preschool
06.2020 - Current
- Work with teaching staff to evaluate individual progress and recommend appropriate learning plans.
- Identify signs of emotional and developmental problems in children and reported to parents and work with agencies to achieve high quality outcomes for children.
- Apply and mentor educators in play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
- Observe children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance. Work with educators to achieve the same outcomes in different age groups.
- Develop and lead routine and curriculum over the Preschool and Long Day Care of Creekside Kids.
- Facilitate and develop professional develop for staff meeting content including ongoing research projects for educators.
- Maintain compliance with in all components of the National Quality Framework and mentor other staff and educators in reference to the Framework.
- Directed day-to-day operations of education program and supervised support staff to delegate assignments and evaluate performance.
- Earn trust of others through open, honest communication and reliable follow-through.
- Coordinate and supervise staff and continuously evaluated performance.
- Lead teams to achieve company-wide goals, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.
- Championed change initiatives, successfully navigating teams through periods of transition while maintaining morale and engagement levels.
Director
Bunyip Preschool
01.2014 - 06.2020
- Created annual budget and developed comprehensive plan to accomplish objectives while staying within budget.
- Focused teams on developing innovative and cutting-edge approaches and research projects used as methods of critical reflection to create and develop Quality Improvement Plans and long term strategic planning.
- Recruited, selected and retained high-quality staff to reduce turnover and foster stability for children, families and the community of Harden.
- Planned and monitored curriculum and programs and liaised with teachers and the pedagogical leader to create fun and engaging learning provocations.
- Led Bunyip Preschool rated working towards in 2013 to an Exceeding service in 2017 retaining six Early Childhood Teachers and 24 highly qualified educators.
- Facilitated and helped design and repurpose the outdoor learning space a 300k project.
- Facilitated the repurpose of rooms in the old Preschool building to transform into a new cot room to service the needs of the community.
- Successfully obtained up to 100k worth of grants over a period of 7 years.
- Monitored students Cert 3 and Diploma progress and oversee advising services to keep students appraised of needs and successes for completion of certificates.
- Observe teachers in the classroom on a regular basis to assess strategies and recommend improvements.
- Meet with parents to resolve conflicting educational priorities and issues and worked with families to be in touch with community agencies that would benefit children and families.
- Modify the general education curriculum for special-needs students based on various instructional techniques and technologies working with Inclusion Support, Mission Australia, Westmead Hospital, NDIS, Intereach and other services.
- Developed and wrote a research paper based on learning through play and the Early Years Learning Framework as part of an Aspiring Leaders team facilitated by Macquarie University and Anthony Semann.
- Delivered research project at leadership conference on March 2016 at Circular Quay.
- Performance manage 24 educators and staff on a daily basis.
- Established an Out of School Hours Service in 2016 for the community licensed for 27 which I was Nominated Supervisor.
- Manage both State and Federal funding due to the nature of the 76 place service being both a state Preschool and Long Day Care.
- Mentored and consulted for other services around the region including being on interview panels, helping with performance management and developing policies, procedures and programming.
- Hired and directed teams to achieve daily and long-term operations and business goals.
- Increased overall company efficiency by streamlining operations and implementing innovative managerial strategies.
- Managed a diverse team of professionals, fostering a positive work environment and high employee satisfaction.
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure long-term success and loyalty.
- Developed and executed strategic plans for business growth and expansion, resulting in increased market share.
Education
Bachelor of Social Science Sociology -
University of New England
Armidale, NSWTAE40110 - Certificate IV in Training And Assessment
TAFE
Albury, NSW07.2013
Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood - Early Childhood Education
Charles Sturt University
Wagga Wagga, NSW12.2012
Skills
- Teamwork
- Collaboration
- First Aid/CPR
- Computer proficiency
- Leadership
- Planning and Coordination
- Supervision
- Organisation and Time management
- Love of learning and research
- Extensive knowledge of Early Years Education including all components of the National Quality Framework
- Multitasking abilities
- Conflict resolution
- Flexible & Adaptable
- High level written and oral communication skills
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Training and Development
- Business Planning
- Communications Strategies
- Expense Control
- Process Improvement
- Incidents management
- Quality Assurance Controls
- Continuous improvements
- Recruitment and hiring
- Visionary Thinking
- Staff Management
- Strategic Planning
- Data Analytics
- Operations Management
- Financial Management
- Business Administration
- Quality Management
- P&L Management
- Advertising and marketing
Additional Information
I keep a high standard of Professional development each year attending many conferences, research tables and much more. I have been inspired by many Professionals over my 20 years in the sector and still have many friends and contacts that I stay in contact with for academic work and research.
Although I do not hold a tertiary certificate in Management I have obtained the skills that meet a managers essential criteria and would be happy to do further study in this area.
I would love the opportunity to discuss the position of General Manager for Eloura Association as I now feel that after 22 years working in management and leadership I am ready for a new challenge where my expertise and knowledge in this area will be valued and utilised.
Referees
Erica Glover
Pedagogical Leader /Early Childhood
Bachelor in Early Childhood Education
ee_menz@yahoo.com
0409613644
Jo Maloney
Masters in Applied Positive Psychology
Bachelor of Teaching
Training and Consultantsy
info@jomaloney.com
0427705725
Timeline
Pedagogical Leader/Assistant Director
Creekside Preschool
06.2020 - Current
Director
Bunyip Preschool
01.2014 - 06.2020
Bachelor of Social Science Sociology -
University of New England
TAE40110 - Certificate IV in Training And Assessment
TAFE
Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood - Early Childhood Education
Charles Sturt University
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