Thriving Together: The Essential Role of Male Educators in Early Childhood (Ep 7)

 Season One: Episode 7 - Thriving Together: The Essential Role of Male Educators in Early  Childhood 

In this inspiring episode of For Your Ears from the Early Years, Lili-Ann Kriegler interviews Ramesh Shrestha, a passionate advocate for male educators in the early childhood sector. Ramesh shares how a simple idea to host a virtual conference for male educators grew into a national event with over 170 registrations across Australia. Discover the challenges male educators face, the importance of community support, and the innovative ways this conference aims to break down barriers and provide valuable professional development.

Beyond the conference, Ramesh opens up about his journey, from securing a prestigious scholarship as an international student to his long-held dream of starting a school in Nepal. He discusses the deep-rooted gender stereotypes that male educators encounter and how these experiences have shaped his mission to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for men in the field of early childhood education.

With a stellar lineup of speakers, including experienced educators, consultants, and lecturers, this episode offers a unique glimpse into the power of grassroots movements, the importance of inclusivity in education, and one man's vision to make a lasting impact in Australia and his home country. Join us as we delve into the vision behind the conference, the scholarship that changed his life, and his dreams of transforming education in Nepal.


 #MaleEducators 
#InclusiveEducation 
#EducationConference
#GenderEquality 
#EducationLeadership
 #NepalEducation 
#ScholarshipSuccess 
#EducationInclusion 
#EducationReform 

Transcript

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Okay.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: Welcome everyone. This is Episode 8 of for your ears from the early years, and

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: sorry I'm going to start again, because I really need to make sure. I'm going to say your name correctly. So is it, Rameshah?

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Ramesh: Rameshresta, Rameshresta.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: Trista.

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Ramesh: Stressed yeah.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: Shresta Shresta. Okay, alright.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: Welcome, everyone. This is Episode 8 of for your ears from the early years, and this evening I'm speaking to Ramesh Schreser, who started as an international student, but has made Australia his home and has made great inroads in the education sector in our country. And, Hello! How are you, Ramesh?

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Ramesh: Hi, Lilian, I'm good. Thank you for inviting me for this. Podcast. It's great to be here.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: I am very, very interested in listening to what you've got to say. I

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: think you've got some key messages to share with listeners about early education in this country. But first, st before we get into it, I'd love you to introduce yourself a little bit in your own words.

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Ramesh: So I'm Romesh Restor. I have been in the education field for almost 11 years now, so I am definitely an education enthusiast.

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Ramesh: and I have been a passionate early childhood educator and an advocate for the sector for the past 7 years. Currently, my role is an education support officer where I support

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Ramesh: thousands of students at Dave. Digital.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: You studied in Australia when you came over. So what qualifications did you get to embark on your education career here.

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Ramesh: So there's a little bit of a story in that degree. Can I provide an anecdote.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: Yes, please.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: We love stories.

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Ramesh: So back home in Nepal. I was a lower secondary and primary level teacher, and I was teaching in a

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Ramesh: school which was in a very low socio socioeconomic

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Ramesh: background. So I was teaching there, and I had one of my student who was really struggling. So

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Ramesh: even during that time I used to provide coaching classes. Our free coaching classes are sort of

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Ramesh: reduced fee approaching classes for students, and

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Ramesh: one of my friends comes to me and says all the things that I have been studying. Would I ever apply it when I

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Ramesh: become an adult? And at that time I think I was 19 or 20. I did not really have an answer to that question, because I think I was teaching algebra, and

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Ramesh: the student would I hadn't used algebra till that point of my life, and

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Ramesh: what I found was

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Ramesh: we were focusing more on rote learning. We were focusing on giving education that did not have contemporary relevance to students. I really felt the need to grow as a teacher, as an educator. So I sort of pursued decided to pursue my journey as a journey in becoming a better teacher. So I pursued a education degree abroad, and

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Ramesh: I thought the best place to start would be from the foundation, because that's where learning begins. So I started my bachelors of early childhood education with Tafe in 2,017,

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Ramesh: and graduated in 2,020.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: Yes, and you graduated, but you also.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: We're a very prestigious student. So could you share what happened when you finished that degree?

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Ramesh: So during my time as an international student, I also used to

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Ramesh: run a not for profit organization, for international students and their welfare.

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Ramesh: We used to focus on supporting international students. We're at risk or disadvantaged. So what we used to do.

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Ramesh: we used to provide them with

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Ramesh: workshops such as resume writing. We used to do a lot of networking events,

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Ramesh: And a lot of awareness. And even during covid time, when there was lockdown, and most of the international student were laid off from their job, due to the border closer they could not go home, so we also provided one month of free grocery packages for the students. And we were able to help out

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Ramesh: 3,000 international students. And that did land me 2 national awards as well. But I think it was seeing the smile in those international student faces, and just knowing that they were happy, that there was a friend around. We called our project mill formats. So we were just sharing a plate. That we could for our fellow international students. So it was quite a journey. Quite a learning journey.

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Ramesh: I met lots of friends lots of good networks as well. Who have supported me throughout my strength journey as well as after I graduated, as well.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: Yes, now we all know that there was a lot of

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: difficulty

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: during the COVID-19 period of time.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: and as a Rotarian our club also helped a lot with feeding, and the international student community seemed to fall

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: in the cracks between the different things that were being helped different ways. People were being helped in Australia. So this is very remarkable work that you've done, and you're very humble about this, but I'd like to circle back and find out exactly what that award is that you received, so that

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: people who are listening will know what it is.

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Ramesh: So I was

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Ramesh: awarded the best dave paid international student of the year by Council of International Students of Australia.

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Ramesh: and I was also the finalist for international Strand of Australia,

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Ramesh: by the Nsw. Government. So I got to meet the Governor. Of Nsw. And it it was. It was a great event. I'll meet lots of fellow international student. We're contributing in the International education. Spare. So it was a lovely event, and I got to learn a lot from my fellow international student as well. There.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: Yes, I

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: here, how you've

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: appreciated that you'd helped students and got the reward out of the work. But it is nice to be recognized. And the reason why I love my interview is to talk about these awards is that it inspires other people to do the work, and it gives them, perhaps a pathway or an inkling into how they might be recognized, because with recognition

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: comes trust, doesn't it? And it becomes a

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: it becomes.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: It becomes a validation of your work, and I don't think we can do more than that, because what it has is it takes you to another role. And I heard you talking about broadening your sphere, meeting more people, and so the word in itself is not an end. It is really a stepping stone, and I'm I hear that you are seeing it as exactly that thing.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: So it's fascinating to hear your entry into this this area, and it's been a very diverse career, spanning 10 years with lots of different experiences.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: but both here and in New South Wales, and even overseas. So how is this diverse background in all of these

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: roles that you've had. How has that enriched your perspective about education?

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Ramesh: When I 1st came from Nepal to Australia, I I thought that Australian education system is the answer to all my queries and my problems. And what I'll do is I will go and learn the education system. I will get a global education. I'll come back. I'll go back to Nepal and implement that

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Ramesh: education in Nepal, and everything would be fixed. That was a bit nave of me. But what I have found in my past 10 years in education is that

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Ramesh: every education system and every demographic

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Ramesh: have their own strength and weaknesses. It's always about striving for excellence and bettering the education system in whatever ways you can.

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Ramesh: So.

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Ramesh: coming to Australia has definitely broadened my perspective and

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Ramesh: sort of given me

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Ramesh: a global overview of what and where the education system stands at the moment.

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Ramesh: it's something that I am really grateful for as well.

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Ramesh: in terms of Neple's education system. There is a sense of community. There's a sense of respect for teachers. They are treated quite different differently.

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Ramesh: To how teachers and educators are treated in Australia. So I think that's something that can definitely be borrowed from Neple's culture. Because here, I like that there is a lot of

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Ramesh: converse friendly conversation with the teacher. But there are also news where teachers are being abused or teachers are under the pump they are. They have too much on their plate, basically. So I think it's it can it? There's something to be learned from both education system.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: That's a sorry.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: That's a great perspective of cross cultural learning. And I could hear when you were talking about the working with the students and helping at least 3,000 students during the Covid pandemic that you were deeply ingrained into culture, and that you somehow found it as you've come over into this country. And it's great that you're thinking about. What could benefit across these different cultures

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: and respect for educators isn't

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: a national thing in all countries, for instance, I think in Scandinavia teachers are very well respected, I think in Japan they very well and respected, and clearly in Nepal, where your background is, they are. And it is something that we would really love. Because isn't our role really important?

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Ramesh: Absolutely like. It's very important, like, we are nurturing the young minds of future generations. So it is something that

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Ramesh: takes years of contribution, effort, energy, education, and expertise. And if someone is dedicating their life

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Ramesh: for nurturing those young minds, I think the least they can get is respect. So I definitely

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Ramesh: support what you are saying.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: Now you're working currently and correct me if I'm wrong because I can edit some of this out.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: You're working currently at Tafe, and you're working with

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: thousands of students, aren't you?

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: How are you?

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: How are you engaging and supporting these students.

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Ramesh: So currently, I am working at Tafe digital. And we do run 4 courses. From our section. 2 of those courses are early childhood a degree so. Certificate 3. In early childhood and diploma in early childhood education.

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Ramesh: We do have a lot of students. And all those students are accessing the learning materials

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Ramesh: and support in their education online or via phone or emails. So I lead a project called Procreation and check your progress. So what I basically do is I

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Ramesh: try to support students

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Ramesh: through targeted emails, through individualized phone calls. So it's all about finding where the student need is at and it sometimes it's also about giving them a nudge and that motivation that they need so that they can complete the course.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: So from that, I understand that you're mentoring and coaching and keeping people motivated. Online study is interesting, because, on the one hand, it's fantastic that it's available to you that you can be anywhere

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: in the world these days. And if you have a mobile phone, you have access to more education. So in many ways it's a complete and total blessing to education that the digital world has grown so much. But, on the other hand, you can feel very lonely, and it sounds like you filling the gap in that that lonely space. So are there particular strategies that you help?

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: Are there particular strategies you employ when you are working with these students.

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Ramesh: I think when you are working with high numbers so we have thousands of students. So

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Ramesh: the tools definitely help. So our Goto tools are targeted on bulk emails or SMS. And

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Ramesh: for students who are nearing that completion or who have just started the individualized phone calls so that they know that the support is there and help is available. So it's just

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Ramesh: trying to not overwhelm them with information, but making sure that the support is there in each

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Ramesh: stages of their learning journey.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: You've spoken at many Tafes and to government audiences. What is the main

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: content of the messages when you are speaking in these particular

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: areas?

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Ramesh: So most of the time that I have been invited to events, whether it's a local event or a Tafe event or

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Ramesh: government events. It's mainly sharing my journey and the lessons that I have learned and sort of my educational journey, and how learners or participants can

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Ramesh: sort of travel in that same path. Because there is sort of challenges. If if I'm giving an example of

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Ramesh: early childhood education from a male perspective, there's only 3% of male professional in the early childhood sector.

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Ramesh: So we are sort of a rare breed. So that does bring a

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Ramesh: a unique set of challenges. So I generally talk about the challenges how to overcome them, and

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Ramesh: sort of

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Ramesh: motivate them to just believe in themselves, and says their dream. Because if there's a passion and purpose, and if you have a plan, you can definitely achieve it. So that's generally the theme of my

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Ramesh: speeches or deliveries.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: And I'm sure it does motivate people. I read a lot of

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: personal development books and a common thing that they say is that success leaves footprints.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: and by outlining your footprints I'm sure that people can think to themselves. Gosh! If Ramesh could do this, I'm sure that if I put my mind to it, I will be able to do it as well, so giving them those pathways. But you also mentioned there the 3% of male representation in the early childhood arena, and I know that you are strongly focused

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: on this area and are doing a lot of work.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: I would love you to share your motivation, and what the things are that you are doing to address the situation in Australia.

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Ramesh: Sure. So it all started in 2,017 when I

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Ramesh: started my bachelors in early childhood, education and care.

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Ramesh: I did not know that there would, it would be heavily dominated by female classmates. So when I entered the classroom there were only 2 males in the classroom.

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Ramesh: and

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Ramesh: out of 35 students. We are the only 2 males sitting in the classroom, and my 1st question to the head teacher was, Do male students end up graduating from this degree because

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Ramesh: there can be that sense of isolation, and it can be very challenging because it's 4 years degree and

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Ramesh: her response was something that really motivated me as well. She was like, yes, we definitely need more male educators and male role models in the sector. Although it's less represented. The many male students have graduated from the course, and they have gone out to do great things. So we would definitely want to promote male participation, and we would provide with all the support that you need. So that was

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Ramesh: very helpful for me at that time.

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Ramesh: and then I think it was after finding my 1st job as an educator was hard, although I had a lower secondary and primary level teaching experience back at home in Nepal finding

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Ramesh: work was tough.

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Ramesh: so I think I applied for 45 plus

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Ramesh: job roles in the sector as a casual educator, and then

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Ramesh: I was desperate. I couldn't land a job and

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Ramesh: I

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Ramesh: don't want to say that it is because of male being male, but it could be one of the reason be, I was sort of

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Ramesh: sharing all the experiences that I had overseas and everything. But I was not getting a job, so what I did was I wrote a an email to one of the companies saying that I would work for free so that I can get experience. That was sort of my desperation because I wanted to. I came to Australia to learn and grow as an educator, and I was not finding a job for almost a year.

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Ramesh: And then the company finally replied, and they were like.

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Ramesh: you don't have to work for free. How how about you? Come for an interview and a trial, and then I'd give the interview. I give the trial. They love me. They hired me as a casual, and that's how I started in that journey.

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Ramesh: Dave really

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Ramesh: post on my success as well. They sort of arranged interviews with Alvin Review, where they posted about my job. Success getting landing a job as a male educator. In one year

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Ramesh: of the degree. And then

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Ramesh: there was ABC documentary. That happened. Called the little things breaking the gender stereotypes. So they did a short documentary on me, and I think those were the small milestones that really motivated me to continue in the path as an educational professional in the early childhood.

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Ramesh: one of my male classmates who started with me lift in the second semester. So I was the only male student who completed the 4 years degree from my bats. So I sort of went through all the challenges and isolation, and

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Ramesh: even in Job all the

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Ramesh: gender, gender stereotypes, and the questions of appropriateness that you face as a male educator. So I went through all the hoops, and I really felt the need of a common space where male educators could come together and

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Ramesh: collaborate, share their stories, share their success and just support each other. So that is why I

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Ramesh: created a Facebook group called Thriving as male educators.

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Ramesh: 3 years ago we started the group with 2 members and now the group has grown to 200 plus members, which is great to see, and we are also launching our 1st conference which is happening in the 7th of September, and we have a fabulous lineup of 6 great speakers. In early childhood education, who have contributed so much to the sector.

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Ramesh: so yeah, it's great to see all the support that's been powering through from everywhere, as well regarding the conference and the initiative.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: I find it heartbreaking

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: that you

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: had 45

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: interviews before you landed, Job.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: The fact that young children need the best education, the fact that their brains are in the most critical time of development.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: and that they are not having the male roles or gender roles that they ought to be exposed to, or that they could or might be exposed to. It's kind of heartbreaking.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: I admire your resilience truly I do, to keep on going, and even to offer your amazing work for free.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: It says something, perhaps, about people's covert fears. It really interferes with the work, with the excellence and the strength that you can bring to the sector as a male

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: educator.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: There's so many boys that would just love to have men around that they can see themselves in those in those gender roles.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: and I'm sure that wherever you are

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: that you're making fantastic inroads into those boys experiences and their development of their own identities.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: so we can't really account for all of the reasons why there's so few men in early childhood. But I so applaud your courage in sticking to this.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: and to have a Facebook group of 2 is fabulous. And to make that go to 200 is a remarkable achievement.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: And

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: you now have other speakers joining you at this conference? Would you like to tell us a little bit more about it? Just flesh out the details about your plans for it. Who's coming? How you advertising it? Because I'm sure everyone listening would be very interested to know what you're doing

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: in this particular area of building this male role in the early years.

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Ramesh: So the conference.

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Ramesh: I'll just share the story of how the conference. The idea of the conference started as well. So in the group. Although I had been planning for the conference for a while, I hadn't

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Ramesh: taken any actions because I did not know what the response would be from the members in my group. So I just posted Crazy Idea alert. I am thinking of doing a conference as a group. What do you guys think, and then I was bombarded with the comments and votings, saying that, yes, we need to do this. We really need something for male educators, and I think we had 34 plus votes and then I was like.

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Ramesh: All right. We are doing this then. And then I started sort of headhunting for speakers. But because we are a Facebook group and not an organization, and we don't have that budget and stuff.

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Ramesh: I

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Ramesh: had to find speakers who were who were willing to speak for free. And

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Ramesh: another thing was that I wanted the event to be free, because there are already so many barriers that male educators face to enter the sector. I did not want finance to be one of them.

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Ramesh: So it was

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Ramesh: when I I started. It was just a novel idea, a simple idea in my brain. I was like there would be 50 participants. There would be

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Ramesh: 2 or 3 speakers, and the conference would be ready, and then I'll just post it online. But then I got

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Ramesh: when I sent out the registration link, it just kept going up. So I think currently we have

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Ramesh: 170 plus registration already across Australia for the virtual conference.

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Ramesh: I had been having chat with multiple speakers, and

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Ramesh: we have a stellar lineup of speakers. We have Anthony semen who runs Seman and Slatery. Consultancy. We have Ralph Southall, who have been in the sector for 40 years. In various role. He started when he was 15 years of old as a trainee.

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Ramesh: and then we have Adam and Green. He wants

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Ramesh: ran a center as a center director with 2 well, male educators, and that's rare in our sector. We also have Dr. Martin Mill, Spain, who is a senior lecturer at South Australia University, and we also have Robert Benson, who has been in the sector for 44 years and just recently retired.

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Ramesh: So we have a fabulous lineup, and we also have sorry I almost forgot about Bill. Blake Stewart! He is an award winning teacher, and then he

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: Sorry. Can you just stop there? And then we'll add that as though you've just remembered so, and and also

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: his name. So then you don't feel like you forgot him.

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Ramesh: And also Blake Stewart. He is an award, winning teacher, early childhood teacher, and now an occupational therapist and an entrepreneur. And he's also doing a session on inclusion.

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Ramesh: So talking about the structure of the conference we have structured it into 4 parts, so the 1st part would be thriving stories where male educators 1, 2 of our speakers would be sharing their success stories, their journey from how they started and how they are thriving in the sector, and how

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Ramesh: newcomers or new male educators can follow those footsteps to similarly thrive and succeed in the sector. We also have professional development sessions on leadership and also inclusion where

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Ramesh: participant can get the practical professional development

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Ramesh: and handsome learning for their own workplace.

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Ramesh: And then we are. We have also arranged a panel discussion where participant can ask all the botherations and challenges that they face in their personal and professional life as a male educator. And lastly, we'll be concluding through breakout rooms where

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Ramesh: participants can network with each other and build that bond.

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Ramesh: and if they are within the same area, they can even plan for meetup, so so that we can reduce that sense of isolation.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: The great scientist Einstein, said that if you can imagine it.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: it can happen in reality.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: And so you started with an idea.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: You get your running shoes on to get into action.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: and the minute you mention this you're bombarded by people who just want to get on board.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: and

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: it's difficult being in a situation where you have to go prospecting, to find the people who are going to bring the voices that will

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: enable people to

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: think deeply about

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: what your conference is about. And I think it's amazing that you have these lovely 4 areas going from the stories through the professional development through the panel, because everyone wants to know and everyone's got questions and then to address the isolation. So the plan for that just sounds amazing. And you have got a phenomenal line up of speakers, and I've

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: read some of the things that they've said, and I don't know exactly which one said it. But I think the person who had the 3 people in

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: one early learning center said it was just so easy to communicate with each other because she's starting off on the same page, and you have a whole lot of things in common, and it just is a lot easier. So I can understand that, but all kudos to you for putting this into the world, just as Einstein said, we've brought it, you know, from an idea into a reality.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: What are your hopes for the conference? What are you hoping will happen as a consequence of working with all these people in this way?

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Ramesh: My vision for the Conference and my Facebook group thriving as male educators.

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Ramesh: is that I just don't want to address the 3 address and advocate for the 3% of male educators.

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Ramesh: I want to address and advocate for that unidentified percentage of male educators who have left the sector because of

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Ramesh: questioned appropriateness, discrimination, bullying, and gender stereotypes. I want to create a space where they can come back to the sector and contribute.

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Ramesh: This would be leaving the sector for better opportunities.

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Ramesh: They should be leaving the sector with

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Ramesh: new passion. New hopes, early childhood should be a sector where they sort of fill their cup, not drain it. So that's my hope for the conference. I really want to make a space or create a space where

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Ramesh: early childhood educators who have left the sector, male early childhood educators who have left the sector can come back to the sector, that they were once passionate about.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: That's a very untapped resource. And that's amazing that you thinking like that when you were describing your speakers to me also, you know, they come from such a range across our sector. And when I had my 1st podcast with Sarah Louise Gandolfo, that was one of the points she made was.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: There's so many different ways that you can be involved in this sector of ours, and it's such a phenomenally important one. So

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: if you're out there

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: and it

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: encouraging and motivating and inspiring people to come back. I think your speakers are showing them so many different avenues for being very, very well accepted, and also very

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: effective

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: in the early childhood space. But I do love the idea of having a male

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: role model men working with young children day to day in the center, on the floor in the outdoor area, and so I hope a lot of them are going to come back and have an absolutely face to face experience with young children.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: But

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: before I go on to the next question.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: is there something more you'd like to add to the the conference yourself that I haven't asked you about.

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Ramesh: I think so for us. The conference the momentum that we have received for the conference, especially from sector leaders. Is great. I I just had a conversation with the front project today.

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Ramesh: And I had a lot of

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Ramesh: Yesterday I had conversation with

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Ramesh: a lot of representatives from Tafe. So there was an early childhood

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Ramesh: Ece C. Srz, where they had lots of representatives from a lot of sector leaders, and they have been loving the idea. They have been supporting the idea. The word has gone far and wide. The only thing that

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Ramesh: we have been sort of pushing for the conference is the thought and the slogan that no male educators left behind. So we have been sort of asking everyone to share the news about the event, it's free of cost. We have a stellar lineup.

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Ramesh: and you will get great value of your time. So if you are listening to this Podcast. To attend the conference. That's all I would say.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: What I appreciate about your work

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: is that it's not only male

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: teachers who feel isolated in our industry.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: and your idea of the inclusivity of males can probably be replicated for other people who feel isolated or feel as though they're gatekeepers that are keeping them out of the industry for any particular reason, and if those people are out there as well, I hope

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: so much that you inspire them to get together and build community the way that you have. You started right at the beginning, talking about your work with the community. And throughout this discussion.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: at each point I'm hearing how to take away. Isolation is one of your key, your your ideas, that is front of mind. So

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: I think your footsteps

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: are great for all people who feel like they're not a hundred percent appropriate or ideal in this area, because children

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: are of so many different backgrounds. And they all want to see themselves in the teachers that are around them. They all want to feel like they part of an inclusive and great society, and Australia is given that

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: accolade of being a multicultural society. So it's wonderful to see you stepping out and creating a pathway to achieve this. But

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: it's not only

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: men that interest you, so tell us a little bit now about your hopes for Nepal and the the scholarship that I've read about.

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Ramesh: So

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Ramesh: I have always been passionate about education, education and community service and social work. Is something that I started around the same time. So it's been 11 years or so. As an educator as well as a community service worker.

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Ramesh: sacti scholarship

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Ramesh: started

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Ramesh: because I really wanted to give back to the country that I was born in and raised in sacti. Scholarship is aimed at

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Ramesh: helping students or children who are at risk and

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Ramesh: belong to disadvantaged communities who

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Ramesh: are not able to afford education. So I sort of

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Ramesh: with every paycheck that I receive from my job. I make sure that I donate

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Ramesh: 5 to 10% for community welfare. So that's how I fund Sakti scholarship.

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Ramesh: We have done

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Ramesh: projects. So we have been sponsoring children in Nepal who

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Ramesh: do not have any parents. We have been running workshop on

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Ramesh: sustainable sanitary pads that

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Ramesh: students or children can make within the school setting. So that

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Ramesh: because in remote parts of Nepal lots of facilities are still not available.

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Ramesh: So we are trying to be creative. We are trying to find innovative solution.

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Ramesh: To the education

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Ramesh: educational inequality that's existing in the remote parts of Nepal.

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Ramesh: So we have done few projects. There are few projects in the pipeline. But it's just a passing project that I do on the side something that's close to my heart. That's home So

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Ramesh: I always try to contribute a little bit every time when I can, to suck this scholarship.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: Earlier. You said that you were interested in filling cups.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: not draining them. This sounds to me very much like filling someone's cup.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: and I'm a great fan of Tony Robbins, the personal development Guru in the world, and he's never, ever spoken at any event, or interfaced or or interfaced with any person without saying that giving

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: is

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: part of getting.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: and clearly you taking it a part of your earnings each time is, and giving it back.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: put you in that category of someone

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: whose generosity changes the world.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: I like how you call it a passion project.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: and

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: I mean things like water for people in some of these areas, even simple toilets, the period poverty you talk about those are life conditions that can prevent people, particularly girls, from achieving what they are capable of in the world.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: so giving them the opportunity to reach their potential

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: in however large or small way we can, is remarkable, is

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: is fabulous, and

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: it's great to see someone as young as you already having that philanthropic

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: part of your work.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: But

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: and this is very, very important for young women.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: because there are lots of statisticate. There are lots of statistics which indicate

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: that if women are

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: educated, and if women are doing well

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: that society does well.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: so

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: you also have a dream

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: of perhaps starting a school in Nepal.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: Is this, is this the case.

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Ramesh: Yes, definitely. That's

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Ramesh: that's something that I have carried in my heart when I came to Australia, and that's a dream that I haven't given up I have been

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Ramesh: learning and growing as a teacher ever since I stepped in Australia. So I started with my bachelor's in early childhood education. I finished my

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Ramesh: certificate for in training and assessment last month.

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Ramesh: and as soon as I I did that, I started my masters in education in innovative learning and design. So that's definitely in the pipeline. But I do also want to get all the experience and expertise that I can. So I do lots of courses like I am an avid learner. I am a passionate learner. Whenever I get the opportunity. I'm always researching.

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Ramesh: trying to find innovative ways to teach. So when I feel like, okay, this must. This much knowledge is enough. And now I can sort of

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Ramesh: start my dream project with a little bit of savings to start the school as well. That's definitely the dream.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: I'm sure, when you step out into that dream you will find people walk it with you, is there are a lot of organizations in the world, including rotary, which I work for, and I'm a very, very avid Rotarian, and, like you, a lifelong learner, I've never stopped so as old as you get, you still carry on learning. So there will be people who do that with you.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: It's very inspiring your dream, but you already put one dream out there. So I trust that 100% that you're going to be putting the next one out there. It's all just a matter of time.

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Ramesh: Thank you.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: Is there anything more you'd like to say about that? Because then I'll move on to asking what message you want to give to the community. So if there's anything you want to add, take this time to think about what your message is.

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Ramesh: So I feel like every time you have a good intention. Good people will find you, and then good people will support you in that

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Ramesh: purpose. So I always believe that the purpose should be bigger than the person. That way.

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Ramesh: You can create a wave of positive impact. Everything that I have started. I always

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Ramesh: have sort of tried to

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Ramesh: put me aside from that

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Ramesh: thing that I have created, whether it's a project, whether it's an organization. I sort of want to be someone who starts something extraordinary. And then people forget me because it's going so well that everything is fine, everything is fantastic. The purpose is going on.

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Ramesh: The person is not important. The purpose should be always be bigger than the person. That's my go to Mantra.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: I agree with you.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: and I don't agree with you.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: because I think without the person

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: and the drain.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: the purpose will stay on purpose. So I think it's a combination, and I don't think you should walk away from that idea that what you're doing is very special.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: I ask my interviewees.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: Often.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: in fact.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: in every interview I ask my interviewees if they have advice or a message that they'd like to put out into the early childhood arena.

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Ramesh: My

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Ramesh: 1st and foremost. If I am addressing the early childhood professionals my 1st masses would be of gratitude.

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Ramesh: Thank you for everything that you do for the children for the young generation.

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Ramesh: You will have.

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Ramesh: You are

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Ramesh: caring for the future generation who are eventually going to lead the country and the nation. So you have a lot of

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Ramesh: take pride in what you do.

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Ramesh: You are

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Ramesh: incredible in choosing this path you are nurturing your minds.

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Ramesh: I always joke with my colleagues and tell them that if you ever decide to leave early childhood sector, please please go into politics because they need people like early childhood educators who can involve themselves in multiple things, who have a nurturing heart.

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Ramesh: who care about people who can multitask, who can think about collaboration with all stakeholders and keep everyone happy. So that would be my key message.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: I've never thought of it like that. But we are multi faceted.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: and every day comes with unique challenges, doesn't it?

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: What a beautiful message for our educators. Now, do you have a quote that resonates with you in either your life or in education that you'd like to share.

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Ramesh: I think the only mantra that I carry deep into my heart is, if you can dream it, you can achieve it. So keep dreaming. Keep as achieving. Keep being passionate, and keep finding your purpose.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: Well, there's nothing that I can add to that.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: Thank you so much, Ramesh, for a very beautiful interview. I wish you so much success with all of these things that you already put in place and the dreams in your head.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: And I hope to have you back on the podcast a little bit later, so that we can follow your journey.

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Ramesh: Sounds like an awesome plan I would love. I would love to share

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Ramesh: that.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: Thank you very much.

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Ramesh: Thank you, Lilian, for inviting me for this interview. It's been a pleasure. It's been nice talking to you. It's the past few weeks has been

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Ramesh: a lot of conversation with a lot of people in the sector, and I'm loving it like the passion that they carry. Which I can see in you as well, because I know it takes a lot of effort to get an event organized, and you are doing it almost

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Ramesh: every week. So kudos to you, and best of luck with your podcast and everything that you are doing.

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Lili-Ann Kriegler: Thank you. Thank you so very much.