UWTSD’s Early Years team bids farewell to long serving staff members

As the Early Years team approach their 21^st anniversary it is with sadness we say goodbye to two key members of our team who have been integral in developing the Early Years programmes from their original base in Carmarthen to multi-campus programmes across Carmarthen, Swansea and Cardiff.

Ann-Marie Gealy, Academic Director of Childhood, Youth and Education Studies started her career at UWSTD in 1997 following her role as a primary school teacher. Initially she worked in the Initial Teacher Training Department developing the Science subject specialism. Later she became a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood before progressing to become Programme Director for the Early Years Programmes, then the Head of Early Years and finally the Academic Director for Childhood, Youth and Education Studies. 

Her time leading the Early Years team and programmes has led to many innovative developments including the two-year Fast Track Flexible Learning degree allowing students to study in the evenings. This has been integral in allowing students to work in the early years education and care sector while also being able to study in the evening. For many students this flexible approach was the only way they could access higher education study. Ann-Marie led the development of both day and evening study provision in Swansea and Cardiff as well as the original provision on the Carmarthen campus. This has allowed students from across West and South Wales to gain access to Early Years Study, making UWTSD a leader in early years training provision in Wales.

Alison Rees Edwards, a Senior Lecturer in the Early Years team remembers Ann-Marie as both her lecturer and colleague. She commented:

“Ann-Marie has played an integral part of all of my experiences at UWTSD! Firstly, as one of my lecturers when I joined the flexible learning programme in 2005, and luckily for me, later as a colleague when I was fortunate enough to join the Early Years team in 2009. Her analytical brain certainly kept me on my toes as a student, striving to get the best out of us all. I have learnt so much from her; a stalwart of the Early Years team, as well as the University, and I wish her well in her retirement.”

Glenda Tinney also has fond memories of studying and attending Ann-Marie's MA lectures. Glenda said:

“Ann-Marie’s lectures were always thought provoking and designed to make students question and re-question ideas. I learnt a great deal which still influences my work today. It’s been a pleasure working alongside Ann-Marie for many years, especially as we share a love of outdoor learning and science. Nice to have a leader who understands that I am not hoarding mess but storing essential materials to enjoy outdoor play! Diolch am bobeth.”

Gwyneth Davies Programme Director for the Early Years Education and Care: Early Years Practitioner Status programmes at UWTSD became a lecturer at the University over 10 years ago, having also undertaken postgraduate study at UWTSD.

Having started as an Early Years lecturer, Gwyneth then became a Senior Lecturer and has for many years she has worked as the Programme Director of the Early Years Education and Care: Early Years Practitioner Status and Early Years Education and Care programmes. Gwyneth has led the Early Years programmes through significant innovations, including ensuring the programmes have recognition by Social Care Wales as a license to practice in the early years field, the move to block teaching (where students study one module at a time) and delivery of courses across Swansea and Carmarthen campuses.  This is exceptional considering Gwyneth also lives on a farm and before and after work would also be supporting farm work. As Alison Rees Edwards the new Programme Director for the day early years programmes notes:

 “Gwyneth is one of the hardest working and kindest people I know! From the moment I met her, it was as if she had been a member of the Early Years team for years. Ever the professional, Gwyneth completes everything promptly and to a very high standard. I will miss hearing about her dogs and sheep over a cuppa in the Cwad. Pob dymuniad da i ti Gwyneth!”  

Glenda Tinney remembers Gwyneth joining the team. She added:

“I had the pleasure of working with Gwyneth when she delivered her first modules and have always enjoyed co-teaching. Gwyneth has always been so hard working and organised, so it has always been so easy to be part of her team. In fact, I am so grateful that Gwyneth has also been so patient and kind when I may not have been as organised.”

Both Ann-Marie and Gwyneth have also been integral in supporting the wider early years research and practice context in Wales and further afield. Both have been involved in research projects to support and evaluate early childhood provision and approaches including projects funded by BookTrust Cymru and JigSo Ceredigion. These projects allowed them to further their personal interests in wellbeing, language, and literacy development. Ann-Maire has also maintained her keen interest in developing Early Years Science through her work and research linked to the Sustained Shared Thinking and Emotional Wellbeing Scale.

Jess Pitman a new member of the Early Years team said

“I have only worked with Ann-Marie and Gwyneth for a short period, but I have learnt so much already. If I can be half the practitioners, you are, I will be happy. Thank you both for all your support and kindness. A bientôt!”

Nat MacDonald Programme Director for the evening flexible route Early Years Programmes said:

“Ann-Marie and Gwyneth have been an integral part of the early years team for many years, and we will miss them immensely. Both have been fantastic mentors to staff and students alike. Their passion and dedication to our students and our programme is inspiring and it is thanks to them that we have the outstanding team and programme we do now. It will not be the same without both Ann-Marie and Gwyneth, as a team we will endeavour to maintain and develop the legacy they leave behind.”

The Early Years team and students will very much miss both Ann-Marie and Gwyneth and thank them for all their support and guidance. There is no doubt that they will remain close friends of the Early Years team and wider Childhood, Youth and Education Studies family. Colleagues look forward to opportunities to collaborate and to catch up on all their adventures and a coffee in the future.

For further information about the Early Years provision at UWTSD please click on the following link: https://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/early-years/

Further Information

For more information please contact Arwel Lloyd, Principal PR and Communications Officer, on 07384 467076 / arwel.lloyd@uwtsd.ac.uk