Gunnedah woman Fiona Langdon is still in shock after finding out she will receive an ASG National Excellence in Teaching Award (NEiTA) for her dedication at Mary Ranken Child Care Centre.
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Mrs Langdon is an early childhood teacher and has been delivering the school readiness program at the centre for four years.
The teacher was nominated by Emma and Graham Jones, whose daughter Ellie attends the centre.
“I was absolutely blown away; humbled, overwhelmed that anyone would think that I was excellent,” Mrs Langdon said.
“I think I said to [coordinator] Cherie [Ison], ‘I am not excellent’ and she said, ‘You are’.”
Mrs Langdon is one of seven early childhood teachers in NSW who have won awards, and one of 60 recipients chosen from more than 1300 nominations.
“It really is an honour to be nominated and to even get this far in a state award,” she said.
Mrs Langdon has 18 years of teaching up her sleeve, having also worked at Gunnedah Baptist Community Preschool and Gunnedah Public School.
“I do it because I love the job and I do it because I love the kids,” she said.
She said she was committed to school readiness programs because they helped prepare children “for the next stage in their lives”.
“I like to make a difference,” she said.
“The years between nought and five are the most formative years in a child’s development… and to have a positive impact in those five years is a great thing. The steps and development they make in those five years is fantastic to see. The feedback from Gunnedah South [Public School] is that our children are the best prepared for school.”
Mrs Langdon said she felt “privileged” to be part of the team at Mary Ranken and received a great deal of support from her family as well.
“I’m pretty lucky. I have support from Wayne and the kids and they’ve always backed what I do,” she said.
Centre coordinator Ms Ison said the award was “well deserved” because Mrs Langdon was “very dedicated” and had a strong work ethic.
“[Fiona] always puts in over and beyond,” Ms Ison said.
“She has a high standard. Each year she gets showered with gifts and cards. The parents are very appreciative of her gentle and nurturing nature.”
The national award recipients will be announced in March, with professional development and project grants up for grabs.
“I would put my $5000 [grant] towards having a toilet block attached to my schooling room because that would just make my life so much easier,” Mrs Langdon said.
