Learning Capital

DESPITE having taught pre-school for over 10 years, Monica Wee decided that she herself had not learnt enough.

So, she returned to the classroom.

Now, she not only has two diplomas under her belt, she is pursuing a bachelor's degree and intends to obtain a master's.

The 33-year-old speech and drama teacher knew she wanted to teach young children when she was just 5 years old, she said.

Her kindergarten teacher was "horrible'' and could not speak properly, she recalled.

"So I told myself at 5 that I was going to teach pre-school and do it better."

After her O levels, when she was just 18, Monica joined a church kindergarten as a teacher. After three years, she got a diploma in Montessori teaching and worked in a pre-school for over a year.

She then went freelance, to teach speech and drama, and worked in another childcare centre for a year, before joining Learning Vision in 2002.

A year later, she embarked on a Diploma in Pre-school Education (Teaching) programme with Learning Capital School of Higher Education.

She said: "I already knew a lot of the things but I was reminded of some things."

It helped to know the theory behind certain practices and she could "combine'' the two.

There are two routes to getting a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, awarded by the University of Wales, through Learning Capital.

Monica, who didn't have a degree before starting the course, had to complete another programme - a Diploma in Pre-school Education (Leadership) - before embarking on her degree.

She teaches during the day, but twice a week for three hours, she becomes a student.

Of what she wants to do, she said: "Age is catching up with me. I don't foresee myself chasing after kids all my life.

"I want to look into doing teacher training."

Monica, whose eyes sparkle when she talks about her work, said: "You have to love children and always be willing to learn.

"And you need to truly believe that you are making a difference to the lives of children."

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