From Learning to Leading — ECE Guest Lecturer Speaker 2026 with BestStart Educare
26/03/2026
ECE Guest Lecturer Series 2026 - Session 1 -From Learning to Leading: Sector Priorities for New ECE Teachers
Saturday, 14 March 2026 | ICL Education Centre
On 14 March, আইচিএলৰ স্নাতক ব্যৱসায়িক বিদ্যালয় welcomed Jane Burke, Practice Leader, and Deeanne Morris, Area Manager, from BestStart Educare for the latest session of our ECE Guest Lecturer Series.
Their presentation, “From Learning to Leading: Sector Priorities for New ECE Teachers,” provided valuable insight into the evolving priorities within the Early Childhood Education sector and the expectations placed on new teachers entering the profession.
During the session, Jane and Deeanne discussed how early learning centres are adapting their practices to reflect the diverse cultures, communities, and family backgrounds they serve. They also introduced BestStart’s Manaaki Pathways programme, which supports new teachers through structured induction and mentoring as they begin their professional journeys.
The speakers highlighted the importance of ongoing professional development, explaining how development plans and the Professional Growth Cycle help teachers strengthen their practice and continue growing throughout their careers. They also spoke about initiatives such as Mana Hauora, where wellbeing ambassadors help support staff wellbeing, alongside BestStart’s strong commitment to health and safety as a core organisational value.
Sessions like this play an important role in connecting our students with industry leaders and ensuring they graduate with a deeper understanding of professional practice in Aotearoa New Zealand’s ECE sector.
We extend our sincere thanks to Jane Burke and Deeanne Morris for sharing their knowledge and experience, and to the ICL Early Childhood Education academic team for organising the session, with special thanks to Bindu Bansal for her coordination and support.
