Biography
Role
As Regional Education Leader, Raewyn leads a team of lecturers based in Christchurch | Ōtautahi to support tauira in the greater Christchurch area. This includes providing pastoral care and learning support for tauira from all programmes.
Raewyn teaches in the Postgraduate Diploma: Infant and Toddler Learning and Development, specialising in learning and wellbeing, and curriculum and environments courses. She is also the staff representative on the Te Rito Maioha Council.
Education background
Raewyn has wide experience in teaching, managing , professional development and lecturing in early childhood education and teacher education, as well as management roles in the disability and sports sectors. This wide experience has informed a deep understanding of both the early childhood sector and diversity. She has been an Education Leader with Te Rito Maioha since 2019.
Research background
Raewyn’s Masters study focused on leadership and management - both areas that, as an early childhood teacher, became part of her role before she could access information about them. As well as growing her own skills, her study allows Raewyn to share experience and knowledge with others in leadership roles.
Raewyn is passionate about providing the best possible quality early childhood education and care to all tamariki in Aotearoa. In particular, she is passionate about infants and toddlers and how they are given the opportunity to flourish in an early learning service. Raewyn is also interested in collaborative and digital learning platforms, teaching and assessment methods that inspire and engage all students | tauira in learning. Trialling and assessing new online teaching methods is an area of ongoing research.
Teaching interests
Raewyn is passionate about challenging tauira to stretch themselves, their critical thinking, their reflective practice and how this can positively impact of the learning outcomes for tamariki. She believes in learning alongside students | tauira and providing support and guidance for each person’s needs. Raewyn is continually inspired by the staff and students she works with, their passion, resilience, humour and persistence.
Recent publications
- Penman, R. (2021). Celebrating infant & toddler educators. Pedagogy+, 12, 7-8.
- Penman, R. (2021). Te Whāriki: 25 years on. Pedagogy+, 11, 92-93.
- Penman, R. & Maiden, R. (2017). From fungi to fairies: Exploring, theorising and documenting learning through visual arts. Journal of Childhood Studies 41,(4). Canadian Association for Young Children
- Penman, R. & O’Connell-Sutherland, K. (2015). Fostering pedagogical leadership through peer mentoring groups. In C. Murphy & K. Thornton (Eds.), Mentoring in early childhood education (pp 51-66). NZCER.
- Penman, R. (2014). E-portfolios. Connecting parents, whānau and teachers in kindergarten communities. Early Education, 56, 10-13.