Equality focus for staff member of year

Pauline has dedicated 35 years of her career to inspiring kindergarten children to become empowered, responsible, and independent members of society.

Her nomination stood out to the selection committee not only due to her values and exemplary status as a kindergarten teacher, but also due to her commitment to equality and desire to use events such as the marriage equality survey to educate children about the world they live in, to celebrate the diversity of family structures.

Pauline said she felt honoured and privileged to receive the award, which was announced at the YMCA Australia annual general meeting recently.

The award had received 10 nominations from YMCAs across Australia from fields including management, children’s services, youth services and finance.

“I love working for the YMCA as they share the same values and goals as myself,” she said.

“I value diversity, inclusion and above all equity for all and strive for excellence in pedagogy.

“I love going to work each day and trying to make a difference in the lives of the children, families, staff members and wider community that I work and live in.”

Pauline said she had become equally as passionate about equality and high expectations for children regardless of culture, gender and family diversity.

“At the beginning of the year I started a journey to ensure that all LGBTIQ people at our kinder felt valued and welcome,” she said.

“I have been determined to create a program and Kinder where girls and boys were given equal opportunities and encouragement and where staff, children and families felt safe as part of the LGBTIQ community at kinder.”

Pauline was also recognised for her ability to constantly think of ways to bring the community into the kinder and take the children out into the community.

This year the kindergarten held an art show, which drew on local artists attending the kinder, workshopping with the children and taking children on walks, bus and train rides to local art studios.

“I also wanted the children to be more aware of what opportunities are available out there in the world,” Pauline said.

“The art work created by the children was amazing and drew on many different mediums and people in the community.”