KidsMatter Early Childhood in TAS
Key contact for Tasmania
Introducing our Facilitator, Penny Anderson
Penny has had a lifelong interest in the emotional and social wellbeing of young children. She began her career in 1962 as an educator in a one-teacher preschool in Maydena, with 25 children attending each session, with no teacher assistant. During this time Penny came to rely on parent help, and has valued parents as partners in early childhood education and care ever since.
Penny has most recently taught at the University of Tasmania in courses preparing students to work with children from birth to year twelve. Before taking up this role, she was Acting Executive Director of School Education for Tasmania, a job which was preceded by periods as a curriculum developer, principal, researcher, professional development coordinator, senior teacher and teacher K-6. Following her resignation from the Department of Education, and prior to UTAS, she again became a kindergarten teacher for a term which she found challenging and rewarding. She now works for Early Childhood Australia in the position of state facilitator KidsMatter Early Childhood, the first national mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention initiative specifically developed for early childhood service.
Contact Penny at panderson@earlychildhood.org.au.
