The power of the teaching profession

Beverley Gowenlock has been an IEUA NSW/ACT member and early childhood teacher for 40 years. Here, she reflects on her long and interesting career.

My interest in teaching began back in fifth and sixth grade, when I was fortunate to have an inspiring teacher who made a lasting impression on my desire for learning.

In addition, because my father was a TAFE teacher, there were many conversations at home about the satisfaction of observing the growth of knowledge shown by his students.

These experiences fostered my interest in the teaching profession. I enjoyed spending time with young children and observing their curiosity and discoveries.

After completing high school, I decided teaching would be my career. The importance of the teaching profession and the power of knowledge cannot be underestimated and is essential for future generations in any society.

When I first joined the IEU, I was employed at KU Children’s Services as a Co-Director for their mobile preschool, assisted by an educator.

We would begin the day by loading up a Volkswagen Kombi van with folding tables, stackable chairs and other preschool items like puzzles and blocks, then drive to a location where there wasn’t an existing preschool.

These locations were in north-west Sydney and included Galston, Glenorie and Mount Kuring-gai.

Most of these community halls often had existing outdoor climbing equipment to which we could add jumping boards, then create a preschool environment inside with other equipment.

“That is one of the wonderful things about this profession – to know one could have made a difference.”

Landmark decision

Parents who used this mobile service formed community groups to lobby the council to build a preschool and this eventuated in two of the areas mentioned. These preschools are still operating.

When my two children began attending primary school, I began three years of casual teaching in my local area, followed by a full-time position at St John’s Uniting Church Preparatory School at Wahroonga, for seven years.

When I realised it was a time for a change, I applied for a one-year maternity position at Norwood Community Preschool in Asquith [licensed for 25 children a day] as a Teaching Director.

This became a job share. In the mid-90s, job sharing was in its infancy, so it was a landmark decision by that parent committee.

It required lots of communication on our programming and agreements on each other’s areas of responsibility; however, I thoroughly enjoyed the 23 years working with Karin Watts until my retirement in 2019.

Living in the local area, it was great to see former students who are now adults, or their parents, and discover what they have achieved.

That is one of the wonderful things about this profession – to know one could have made a difference.

I would like to thank the IEU for 40 years of support for teachers in the early childhood education and care sector.

I am grateful for the improvements the union has achieved and look forward to future ones for all teachers. I would recommend everyone be a member for the benefit of all.