Professional learning communities

Dr Sue Cherrington is an Associate Professor at Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington. She has an extensive experience in early childhood education, as a kindergarten teacher and teacher educator. Her research focuses on professional and pedagogical practices for early childhood teachers and leaders, including teacher thinking, learning, and development, Professional Learning Communities, and teacher inquiry with particular regard to the use of data collection tools.

Dr Kate Thornton is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education at Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington. Her research interests are educational leadership and leadership development, mentoring and coaching, and professional learning communities. Kate is a former secondary school teacher, Playcentre parent, and Head of School.

Dr Rachel Denee is a senior lecturer at Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington. She has been working in teaching, leadership, and research roles in early childhood education since 2000. Her research interests include educational leadership, professional learning, and visual arts in early childhood. Her PhD focused on early childhood teachers’ practices and perceptions about art through a professional learning community. She is also a trustee of Reggio Emilia Aotearoa New Zealand (REANZ) Trust, Whanake Education Trust, and Nature School NZ Trust.