Role

Debbie lectures in the Bachelor of Teaching (ECE) programme, teaching Te Ha o Te Kaiako courses. She is passionate about supporting tauira to develop their early childhood practice through practicum experiences.

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Education Background

Debbie has been involved in early childhood education her whole career, beginning with a kindergarten teaching qualification and working in Northland and Auckland kindergartens in multiple head teacher and leadership roles. She joined Te Rito Maioha in 2015.

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Research Background

Debbie’s Master of Education focused on the role of associate teachers in early childhood education. Her research interests tend toward understanding and improving the practicum experience in initial teacher education, with a specific focus on the relationship between associate teachers and students.

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Teaching Interests

Debbie has always been interested in exploring different philosophies and ideas and is passionate about aesthetic and natural environments. Her personal philosophy is influenced by the Pikler approach. She believes relationships are the key to all aspects of early childhood education and brings her experience and beliefs into her work with tauira in initial teacher education.

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Recent Publications

Woolston, D. (2019). Understanding the motivation of associate teachers in early childhood education. Early Childhood Folio, 24(1), 24–28. doi:10.18296/ecf.0067 https://doi.org/10.18296/ecf.0067

Woolston, D., & Dayman, T. (2022). Practicum: A space for leadership and mentoring. New Zealand Journal of Teachers’ Work, 19(1), 29-45.