Women Who Inspire the Future

It is May, we are basically running out on empty. The long days feel like they are being dragged longer than normal days and you feel the children as restless as you. So here are a four other professionals who have inspired me across my career some way or another. Across my profession I have encountered so many professionals with different specialised areas or interests. Each one of us has a specific area we intend to invest more research on, more reasons to explore or even more innovative ideas to increase classroom environment or teacher strategies.

Here are few of these incredible professionals who have different specialised areas they tend to focus their career on. I admire their passion, advocacy and above all motivation to bring forward their strategies and ideas which help me as an educator reflect on my own. Hence they deserve a spot on my 40 before 40 inspiring people list.

Ms.Alison Lauri Rodo

First time I talked to Ms. Alison was during her studies in University. She was a student and I was a guest presenter. I remember her question about how I find time in doing my planning, learning highlights, observations and documentation. Why I remember her question after all this time? It is because while she was asking it her voice showed passion, a sense of concern and yet already trying to understand how she can balance life-work all in the interests of her students but more so herself. This resonated so much with me because it is something I struggle with lately.

Ms.Alison is an Early Years Educator, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Trainer, Reiki Master, Special Yoga Practitioner & Breathwork Coach for Children. I follow her work on Social Media " A Mindful Life", because she amazes me with how her Mindfulness-Based learning and teachings honds in peaceful meanings. It shows that balance I miss, the kind that I need and definitely what my students benefit in. With the hustle and bustle of our everyday life, sometimes one might take wellbeing for granted. A mindful aura in a classroom is not enough. I need to learn how to practice what I preach in my personal lifestyle too.

What amazes me is how passionate Ms. Alison truly is about supporting children’s wellbeing through mindfulness, breathwork, and specialised yoga practices. Her work focuses on children with ADHD, Cerebral Palsy, Autisim, and Down Syndrome , helping them develop emotional regulation, body awareness, and inner calm in a nurturing and inclusive way. Alongside her practical work, she holds a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and Care, which supports her holistic approach in working with children and carers. She is deeply committed to creating safe, supportive spaces where every child can thrive and feel valued hence why she is such an inspiration in my eyes. We need more individuals who sees a child as a child and not another number.

Dr Deborah Pullicino

I have so much fond memories of some studies Dr. Deborah Pullicino did to accomplish these remarkable titles behind her name which I believe she should display with pride everyday for her extraordinary achievements. Dr.Pullicino PhD (Sheff.), MA (Sheff.), BEd (Hons) (Melit.), ATCL, AMusLCM, DipMusLCM is not only a remarkable academic BUT in my opinion she is an absolute devoted mother of two ECEC children, a five‑year‑old daughter (Katrina) and a ten‑month‑old baby boy (Ġużè). They are the jewels of her world which without a doubt bring out the best in eachother in their own unique ways.

I remember talking with Dr. Deborah during her studies and how her vision and specialised areas is so much needed in every classrooms and school. Although Dr.Deborah is private practitioner, she includes singing to promote and enhance communication. This is a strategy which personally I have been using frequently, eventhough I am so far away from any Eurovision platform. I can resonate with what Dr.Pullicino promotes because I remember attending a particular moment in my life, when non-verbal students followed throughout our inclusive learnings thanks to music. It was magical and made me feel attached to a little person who was so misunderstood.

She began her career in education in 2012 after completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Education at the University of Malta, and taught in Maltese schools. Continued parallel musical training:DipMusLCM (2012) and AMusLCM (2013) in Music Theory.

ATCL in Classical Singing (2023). Awarded an Endeavour Scholarship (2019) to pursue an MA in Music Psychology in Education, Performance and Wellbeing at the University of Sheffield which was completed 2021 while researching singing practices of children on the autism spectrum who are nonspeaking or minimally speaking. Her dedication was recognised and she was awarded a TESS Scholarship (2021) to begin a PhD in Human Communication at the Faculty of Health, School of Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Sheffield (completed 2025). Her she explored how singing can support communication skills in children on the autism spectrum, including those who are nonspeaking, minimally speaking, or limited speaking.

Her aim is to continue working with children on the autism spectrum and their families, using singing to support and enhance communication skills. Something which I truly respect her for because although there are so many challenges along the way, Dr.Pullicino keeps shining by providing ample opportunities in a creative inclusive way.

Ms.Nurten ÖZEL.

My encounter with Ms. Nurten has always been virtual but I can vouch that the impeccable and intensity of devotion and dedication to her profession is a remarkable one. She is preschool teacher and she is currently in her 17th year in the profession. Ms. ÖZELstates that she loves her job very much and I saw this during several collaborative work we did together during many of our eTwinning international projects. Without the possibility of encountering such a talented educator from Turkey, I would not have been able to learn innovative S.T.E.A.M activities. I was so new to S.T.E.A.M but when Ms. Nurten started sharing her ideas, she got me hooked. She motivated me to continuously research about S.T.E.A.M and now I have come so far that it is hard for me to let go.

She believes that attending professional development are very beneficial to her students and she states that she values such important growth. While I state how new I was to S.T.E.A.M, Ms.Nurten says that her first encounter with the eTwinning platform was thanks to a project I founded that brought us great success. The project she mentions is S.T.E.A.M-tastic in which according to Ms.Nurten receiving the Runner up Prize of this project felt like winning the Oscars of eTwinning. While she felt very proud moment of that moment, I felt emotional and grateful. Ms. Nurten was new to eTwinning and I new to S.T.E.A.M but somehow we connected on so many great levels which up till today I still admire her collaborative presence because I got to learn so much new practices. Since then she has become an eTwinning coordinator in her country especially her city. Ms. Nurten is also very happy to be a Scientix ambassador something which I have always wanted to explore but has no concrete time in doing!

For her, contributing to a child's life, development, and education is very important hence the reason why she will always continue her professional development soley to solidfy this purpose. She promises to continue to improve herself and achieve great things for children and for this I stand by what I say how truly lucky I am to have worked with such a dedicated and inspiring educator, even from afar. I can not wait to work together in future projects too!!!

Ms.Mariana Alamango

Only having recently met Ms. Alamango, I got intrigued and curious about her journey within the ECEC. She oozes innovation and dedication which is evident upon meeting her. She is a dedicated early years educator with 15 years of experience in the field, and has a strong passion for fostering meaningful, child-centred learning experiences. She is currently in her fifth year pursuing a Bachelor of Honours Degree in Early Years, through which she continues to deepen her professional knowledge and reflective practice. As part of her academic journey, she was honoured to receive the Dean’s Award, which she considers as a significant milestone in her professional development.

Ms. Mariana's practice is deeply influenced by the emergent curriculum approach and inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, where children are viewed as capable, curious, and active participants in their own learning journey. Recently, she had an incredible inspiring and indescribable experience of visiting the Loris Malaguzzi Centre and a Reggio Emilia school, which further strengthened her beliefs and passion for this approach and its impact on children’s learning and development.

Alongside her professional role, she is also a proud mother to a 13-year-old son, an experience that has further shaped mlher empathy, resilience, and commitment to supporting children’s holistic development and well-being. As a mother myself this reflects so much on me too and that is another reason why I admire her work.

Ms. Mariana is committed in creating a nurturing, inclusive, and responsive classroom environment that values each child’s voice, individuality, and developmental pace. Recently she opened an online space on a page "La Meraviglia- Inspired by Ms. Mariana" and believe me you should follow her if you wish to get classroom inspirations and several innovative child-led activities. She deepens her writings with ample reflection also at times point out theories or linking them to outcomes which may inspire more food for thought. Through her carefully designed, hands-on learning opportunities which are often inspired by children’s interests in nature, sensory exploration, and everyday experiences, Ms. Alamango aims to cultivate curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love for learning. She also notes in taking great pride in reflective practice and continuous professional growth, striving to build strong relationships with children and support their development in a respectful and engaging way. A true testimony of dedication and respect in my eyes. Ms. Alamango believes that ECEC is not only about teaching but more so about listening, valuing, and empowering young children to become confident, capable, and lifelong learners. Something which we all agree must be a every educator's vision yet alone in ECEC. Remarkable professionals like Ms. Alamango who took the plunge and yearned to learn more makes me feel resilient and determined to work harder for quality professional recognition as many are following the path of own professional growth with that of their students.

I can resonate and look back at this blog with glee because each individual in this blog has offered me something to keep reflecting on which I can take into my own journey as a professional. Ms. Alison Lauri Rodo helps me regelct on incorporating Mindfulness-Based pedagogical approaches while Ms. Deborah Pullicino reminds me how the joy of creative arts especially music is essential for inclusive educational journey. Ms. Nurten ÖZEL connects me to never giving up on new beginnings and inspires me through keep on incorporating S.T.E.A.M opportunities in ECEC. Lastly, Ms. Alamango fires up my motivation with her intellectual and practical reflective practices, making more space for great local practices to take the limelight as it should. Thank you for being part of this project and moreover for being inspiring the ones in your care every single day!