The Department of Education has named Dr Sharon Speir as the new Assistant Director for Early Childhood Education.

She will oversee the Early Childhood Education section of the department, which includes the Child Development Programme, Government preschools, childcare quality assurance, consultative support services to primary schools on early childhood education, and early childhood special education.

Dr Speir holds a Masters in Curriculum Studies from the University of Western Ontario and a doctorate in Curriculum, Teaching and Learning with specialisation in teacher development from the Ontario Institute of Education Studies at the University of Toronto.

She has worked directly with children from 18 months-old and up, and supervised programmes for young children both in childcare and in public schools. She has worked as a kindergarten teacher, a primary consultant, principal of primary-junior schools and as an area superintendent of primary, junior and senior schools.

Dr Speir has also written articles contributing to the field of early learning and led the implementation of the Ministry of Ontario’s vision of early learning for four and five year-olds.

A spokeswoman for the Education Department said Dr Speir would work closely with Chezia Calloway, the recently appointed Assistant Director of Student Services to “ensure the high quality delivery of special education programmes and services for young children in the Bermuda public school system”.

Education Minister Grant Gibbons said the Ministry was pleased to have Dr Speir in the position, noting her years of experience.

“We have earmarked early childhood as one of our areas of strategic focus and it is essential that we have the necessary experience and expertise to lead this,” Dr Gibbons said. “Dr Speir has garnered this experience and I am looking forward to working with her as we make a renewed investment in services dedicated to our youngest learners.”