Sola Freeman

Background

About Sola Freeman

A pragmatic and collaborative early childhood educator, with experience in teaching, professional development, and managing in the ECE field. Strong experience in governance from nine years as Chair of School Board of Trustees, Chair of the Eastbourne Football club to now currently Chair of the Capital Football Board. A strong education professional with a Doctor of Philosophy and Masters of Education focused in Early Childhood Education and Teaching from Victoria University of Wellington, with a demonstrated history of presenting, teaching, and researching in the higher education industry. Currently researching in the School of Engineering and Computer Science exploring their pedagogy and student engagement. Alongside lecturing in the Early Childhood teaching programme at Victoria University. Her PhD,"Opening Doors. Guiding teachers to intentionally facilitate science for young children" follows her passion for science by exploring what influences scientific learning for children in early childhood settings in New Zealand. Using collaborative action research methodology, she examined the enablers and challenges to scientific learning in six ECE centres. Skilled in Presentations, Nonprofit Organizations, Coaching, Facilitation, Strategic thinking and planning, and Leadership. My publications include: Freeman, S.(2021). Provoking opportunities for science in early childhood education. Early Childhood Folio, 25(2), 31-35. Freeman, S.(2021). Opening Doors. Guiding teachers to intentionally facilitate science for young children.[Doctoral thesis, Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington]. Wellington. Freeman, S, Dalli, C, & Pickering, A.(2016). Montessori early childhood education in NZ: Re-discovering the spirit of reflection and inquiry through recent policy changes. Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, 41(2), 69-76. Freeman S J, Pickering A E, Dalli C, ‘Montessori early childhood education in New Zealand: The impact of recent policy changes’, Conference Monograph of 4th International, Training and Scientific Montessori Conference ‘Inspirations’ (Poland, April 2014). Freeman, S.(2008). Putting respect for infants and toddlers into action. The First Years Nga Tau Tuatahi NZ Journal of Infant and Toddler Education, 10(2), 35-37. Freeman, S.(2008). Unintended Consequences: the Montessori Story of the Early Childhood Education Qualification