Qualifications BE (Early Childhood), DipTeaching (Early Childhood), Associate Teachers' Dip (Speech and Drama)
Professional profile
Helen has extensive experience in the early childhood sector, having taught for 14 years in kindergarten and childcare both in New Zealand and the UK. She joined CORE Education in 2006 mentoring teachers in the ECE ICT Programme for three years before moving onto supporting Early Childhood teams and teachers in all areas of ECE professional learning. A self-confessed people person, Helen supports and motivates teachers and teaching teams to achieve their potential.
Expertise
Helen's expertise in Early Childhood Education includes:
Social Competency
Literacy – oral language
Leadership
Assessment for learning
Teacher/child interactions
Effective team collaboration
The creative arts
The use of ICT in ECE
Helen's interest areas are:
Social competency in ECE
Oral language development in young children
Being an advocate for the profession and children
Team work
Supporting teachers to improve learning for children in their centres
Cybersafety
Conference presentations
Duncan, H. (2011) Emotional Regulation in young children – Early Childhood Research Hui Otago
Duncan, H. (2010) Social Competency in ECE – 1 day workshop – Central Otago Kindergarten Assn
Duncan, H. (2010) Leadership in the South: Being the best leaders we can be - 2 day leadership workshop, Southland Kindergarten Assn
Duncan, H. (2010) Engaging Environments - 1/2 day workshop, Barnardos Homebased Visiting Teachers
Duncan, H. (2010) Learning Stories: Making each word and picture count - presented to various groups around Otago/Southland
Duncan, H. (2009) 21st Century Teaching and Learning, Presentation to teaching students, West Coast Teachers, Dunedin Teachers
Duncan, H. (2009) Cybersafety in ECE (an accredited facilitator for Netsafe NZ), Numerous presentations to ECE sector groups around New Zealand
Duncan, H. (2009) Trends in ECE ICT, Presentation to 30 teachers Otago/Southland Cluster Hui
Duncan, H. (2009) Collaboration and Teamwork, Presentation to Southland Kindergarten Association Teachers
Duncan, H. (2009) Writing for Impact and Style – How to write for your synethsis, numerous presentations to teachers Otago/Southland Cluster
Personal statement
“After living and working overseas I returned to my hometown of Dunedin. Here I’ve used my creative streak in cooking and gardening as well as indulging in my passion for shopping.”
