A Telford College foundation degree student has become a published author after impressing lecturers with her coursework.
Rachel Harrison, from Lawley, is currently in the third year of a foundation degree in early years services.
One of her assignments achieved such high accreditation that she was asked if she would like to publish it as part of the Early Childhood Studies Degrees Network.
Her work, titled ‘Language and Literacy Development: A Sociocultural Perspective’, has now been released.
Rachel said: “I first came to Telford College following my completion of a level three forest school qualification. I had already done a couple of level three courses and was looking to progress to the next stage of learning.
“I knew from the courses that I had done that I preferred in-person lessons to virtual ones – and Telford College offering evening sessions meant it would fit in perfectly with work.”
She added: “I have learnt so much over the last two and a half years of the course and believe it has benefited me as a practitioner as well as building my academic skills.
“Virtually every module has focused on theories which directly relate to working with children so I have been able to put what I have learnt into practice meaning the children I care for have benefitted too.
“Being on the course has also given me the privilege of meeting and getting to know a group of wonderful practitioners from a wide variety of settings and has opened up so many possibilities for the future.
“I have learned about jobs I wouldn’t have even known existed before the course and I am now considering options which would not have been open to me before.”
Rachel is planning to continue onto the top-up BA in Telford through the University of Wolverhampton and then hopefully pursue post-graduate qualifications with an aim of either getting into teaching or becoming an educational psychologist.
“I would advise anyone who is considering studying with Telford College to absolutely go for it. Every single member of staff I have met has been dedicated, knowledgeable and willing to help. They want you to succeed and will be there to help you every step of the way.”
Writing in her newly published work, Rachel says: “With the recent Early Years Foundation Stage reforms, language and literacy learning in early years settings has been pushed up the agenda with practitioners expected to provide quality play-based and adult-guided learning opportunities.
“I have sought to explore how socio-cultural theories can be used in practice today to support practitioners in meeting the challenge of improving young children’s outcomes, and balancing child and adult-led practice, through examining two excerpts of a childminder’s practice which had been initially recorded for the purposes of reflecting on practice through observation.”
Caroline Bastow, learner manager for higher education and access at Telford College, said: “After months of anticipation, it is fabulous to see this work finally being released. What an amazing read it is. Rachel deserves huge congratulations.”
Rachel’s work can be read in full at www.ecsdn.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Rachel-Harrison-University-of-Wolverhampton-.pdf
