Childhood, Youth and Education lecturer graduates with an MA in Youth and Community Work
05.07.2022
Natasha Jones, a Childhood, Youth and Education lecturer from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) has graduated with an MA in Youth and Community Work.
Natasha has a long history with the discipline at UWTSD, graduating in 2018 with a BA Addysg a Gofal Blynyddoedd Cynnar: Statws Ymarferydd Blynyddoedd Cynnar degree. She has extensive experience working in the early years sector. She has also in more recently worked as a secondary school teacher teaching with the Cam wrth Gam programme delivering level 3 Childcare and Education qualifications.
She has used her own practice to inspire and develop the next generation of early years practitioners.
Natasha said: “This qualification opened doors for me personally, for example, I was an 'au pair' in Iceland for the Summer for a family and a young child. On returning from the post, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to work at the nursery located on the Carmarthen university campus, Gamfa Wen. This role gave me valuable experience of working with children and developing on behalf of my ability to adapt to the needs of each child.
“In order to now pursue my passion of working with children, I took the opportunity to work as a classroom assistant within Ysgol y Dderwen. This also helped me to broaden my understanding and knowledge base of working with children, and to understand as to care for them in a careful environment.”
Natasha said she wanted to continue her learning journey with UWTSD by studying a master's degree to gain a holistic understanding of a child's development through to adulthood. In August 2019 she enrolled with the Youth and Community Work programme, with the aim of being able to support young people to develop personally, socially, and educationally.
Natasha has worked in a wide range of local nurseries, schools, and clubs, to further her understanding of children and young people's development. She has now joined the Childhood, Youth and Education team and will continue to use her own experience to inspire Higher Education students in the early years, youth, and education sectors to follow their own learning journeys.
As the University celebrates its bicentennial year is so wonderful to see students such as Natasha continue their relationship with UWTSD post-graduation. In doing she can use her own experience as a student to develop the courses of the future.
As a Welsh-medium student who studied all her degree modules through the medium of Welsh, Natasha will also be particularly significant in the development and innovation of the University’s Welsh-medium provision.
Studying through the medium of Welsh, supports the Welsh Government's aim of securing a million Welsh speakers by the year twenty-five. Over a thousand practitioners have now been trained in Welsh through the programme.
Lecturer Glenda Tinney said: “It is always a pleasure to see past students doing so well and developing their careers. Natasha was a wonderful undergraduate and when I heard she was undertaking her postgraduate studies, as well as working as a secondary school teacher, I knew she would be an excellent role model for the sector. Our courses require lecturers who can combine academic and practice experience and Natasha, therefore, was an obvious addition to the Childhood, Youth and Education team.
“In a sector where it is essential that we develop a strong bilingual ethos and can train the next generation of Welsh-medium practitioners in the early years, youth and education sectors, Natasha will be such an asset, having undertaken her own studies through the medium of Welsh. She has also already demonstrated her commitment to Welsh-medium education and care, as part of her work with the Mudiad Meithrin Cam wrth Gam programme. Excellent Natasha enjoy graduation and welcome to the team.”
As Natasha looks to the future, she added: “I am clear about the possible steps to develop further within my career, for example, I would like to investigate and reflect on the major events of the year so that I can ultimately take the responsibility of leading on my own.
“This qualification offers an awareness of how we can make a difference to the lives of children and young people in Wales; If you are passionate about and enjoy working with children look into what the university has to offer you!”
Further Information
Lowri Thomas, Principal Communications and PR Officer
07449 998476
