Regina Benford
Pascoe Vale South,VIC
Summary
I am an energetic, organised, and passionate early intervention professional with 18 years of experience working with families and young people. My greatest strength is my ability to quickly build rapport and create lasting, respectful relationships with families, empowering them to actively participate in goal setting and intervention processes. I have experience in fostering community engagement in the Brimbank area and connecting with community support organisations.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Early Childhood Coordinator
Brotherhood of St Laurence
Niddrie, VIC
04.2024 - Current
- Collaborating within a multidisciplinary team to deliver targeted intervention for families experiencing vulnerability and children experiencing disability and developmental delay
- Delivering Early Supports, a capacity-building initiative empowering parents to implement intervention strategies within natural settings.
- Cultivating strong community ties and key stakeholder relationships across Brimbank, Melton, and Moonee Valley, driving enhanced referral pathways and collaborative service provision.
- Guiding families through the processes of accessing relevant services, including applying for access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
Kindergarten Teacher and Graduate Teacher Mentor
Hadfield Early Learning Centre
Hadfield, VIC
06.2022 - 06.2023
- Created, implemented, and led Kindergarten Curriculum in Long Day Care setting
- Cultivated respectful and collaborative relationships with vulnerable families, including those experiencing homelessness and family violence.
- Implemented culturally responsive communication strategies while working with CALD families.
- Completed 20+ hours of professional development in trauma-informed practice.
- Demonstrated cultural competency through engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, fostering inclusive and respectful service delivery.
Kindergarten Teacher and Room Leader
Clifton Street Children's Centre
Northcote, VIC
04.2018 - 06.2022
- Led daily instruction for 28 kindergarten students in long daycare setting, managing total enrollment of 45 children.
- Established professional classroom environment as Room Leader, overseeing team of 4 educators and 1 co-teacher.
- Conducted professional mentorship and performance planning to enhance team effectiveness.
Education
Master of Arts - Master of Teaching, Early Childhood
Melbourne University
06.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Italian and History
Douglass College, Rutgers University
05.2010
Accomplishments
• Expertise in navigating challenging conversations to de-escalate tension during challenging conversations, successfully fostering trust and maintaining constructive, goal-oriented dialogues
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective partnerships within diverse professional teams
• Highly skilled in empowering families to assume responsibility for actionable outcomes
• Strong cultural competence and ability to build respectful relationships across cultures through work experience across Australia, Asia, Europe, and North and South America
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective partnerships within diverse professional teams
• Highly skilled in empowering families to assume responsibility for actionable outcomes
• Strong cultural competence and ability to build respectful relationships across cultures through work experience across Australia, Asia, Europe, and North and South America
Additional Relevant Skills
- Strong knowledge of and training in Child Safe Practices.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Highly proficient using Microsoft programs. Typing speed 90 wpm.
Additional Revelant Work Experience
- Casual ECT: Early Childhood Management Services - July 2023-Present
- Inclusion Support Educator: Clifton Street Children's Centre - July 2017- March 2018
- Casual Kindergarten Teacher/ Diploma Educator: ANZUK - July 2017 - December 2017
- Global Scholars Award in Research: Hong Kong International Schools - November 2016
- English Language Classroom Teacher: English First - Santiago, Chile - Jan 2014 - June 2014
- English Language Tutor: Self Employed- Santiago, Chile - Jan - Dec 2012
- Assistant Teacher: Colegio Coya - Rancagua, Chile - July - Dec 2011
- Room Leader and Educator: Douglass Child Study Centre -New Jersey July 2006 - July 2011
Timeline
Early Childhood Coordinator
Brotherhood of St Laurence
04.2024 - Current
Kindergarten Teacher and Graduate Teacher Mentor
Hadfield Early Learning Centre
06.2022 - 06.2023
Kindergarten Teacher and Room Leader
Clifton Street Children's Centre
04.2018 - 06.2022
Master of Arts - Master of Teaching, Early Childhood
Melbourne University
Bachelor of Arts - Italian and History
Douglass College, Rutgers University