Susie is a Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education.  She has a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education from the University of South Australia, a Master's of Gifted Education from Flinders University and a PhD in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Australia. Susie is an early childhood education expert with more than 20 years’ experience in teaching and leadership across preschool, school, university and government contexts in South Australia. Her expertise encompasses early childhood pedagogy, teacher self-efficacy and practice.Susie’s research has made a significant contribution to understanding early years teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs and their relationship with teaching practice. Her PhD examined the self-efficacy beliefs of early years teachers in South Australia through a qualitative multiple case study, drawing on Social Cognitive and Ecological theories. The research investigated the sources and development of teachers’ self-efficacy and how these beliefs influenced practice, resulting in an Ecological Framework for Teacher Self-Efficacy Development that situates teacher self-efficacy within an enabling ecological system.
Susie’s extensive early childhood leadership experience has also contributed to major workforce and policy reform. In 2023, Susie played a significant role in the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care, appearing as an expert witness before the Hon. Julia Gillard and contributing multiple submissions that informed the Commission’s 43 recommendations. She subsequently undertook a secondment to the Office for Early Childhood Development to support implementation of the Royal Commission’s recommendations. Susie’s expertise has further informed national and state policy through commissioned reports, policy submissions and expert advisory roles.
Susie brings this research and policy expertise to initial teacher education, where she supports the transition of preservice teachers into the profession through democratic, relational and supportive approaches to learning. Her work is grounded in a commitment to strengthening the early childhood workforce and ensuring educators are well prepared to support young children’s learning, development and wellbeing.