Dr Gerardine Neylon is a political scientist holding the post of senior lecturer at the Graduate School of Education and a Fellow of the Higher Education Authority.

Gerardine coordinates units in the Master of Teaching for Pre-service teachers. She coordinates the Dissertation unit in the Master of Education for professionals in education wishing to expand their expertise and career possibilities. For undergraduate students, she coordinates a new Minor Learning in the Professions, where she lectures in two units and is currently working with Durban University of Technology on a joint Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) programme. Gerardine is the Deputy Chair of the Global Partnership and Engagement Committee.

Gerardine has lectured in both policy and pedagogy in Early Childhood Education and Care. Her research interests include all aspects of pre-school: Rights Based Pedagogies, Montessori Methods, National Australian Teaching Standards and Life Histories of teachers. Gerardine supervises PhD, Doctoral and Master dissertations in the University of Western Australia (UWA) and in Singapore.  Prior to moving to Australia Gerardine’s research took her to visit pre-schools in the Nordic countries and Reggio Emilia in North Italy.

Gerardine was awarded tertiary teaching qualifications from UWA adding to her Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Limerick Ireland. She has a Master in Public Policy & Administration (Honours) (University of Limerick, Ireland) and a Master degree in Child Protection & Welfare (Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland), a B.Sc. in Mutual Business Management (University College Cork, Ireland) and a Diploma in Pre-school Care (Cathal Brua St, Dublin Ireland).

Gerardine represents the University of Western Australia on the course advisory committee to the Montessori Institute.  is an accredited Higher Education provider and Registered Charity and has been delivering Montessori qualifications nationally for over thirty years. The Course Advisory Committee is appointed by the Board of Management and consists of industry experts, including Academics from universities and principals of schools. The role of the committee is to advise the Institute on all matters pertaining to students and courses, including course structure and delivery, assessment, plagiarism, student attrition and completion and ensuring work-ready graduates. This advice forms part of the Institutes Continuous Improvement Plan, which is acted upon and subsequently reported back to the Board and the Associations members and to our regulators TEQSA and ACECQA during the re-registration process. TEQSA also requires a report on the composition of committee. The Course Advisory Committee is fundamental to the ongoing success of the Montessori Institute and the continued accreditation of our courses. 

Gerardine represents the University of Western Australia as a member of the Education sub-committee of The Australian Association for Infant Mental Health Ltd (AAIMHI) is a not-for-profit organisation of professionals from a range of disciplines including health, education and welfare dedicated to the field of infant mental health.

AAIMHI’s primary focus is to draw attention to the importance of the healthy social and emotional development of infants (0 to 3 years) in Australia. This is achieved by assisting families, professionals and communities to build nurturing and strong relationships with their children, and to be aware of the causes and signs of mental, physical and emotional stress in infants.  

2012 –2013 St. Nicholas Montessori College, Ireland (SNMCI) Adelaide St. Dun Laoghaire, Ireland Specialist Early Childhood Education and Care Programme Review Consultant
Programmatic review of Montessori BA (Hons) in Montessori Education and Higher the Diploma. Worked collaboratively on curriculum design.

2007 –2009 National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland - Mid-Western Access Co-ordinator
In collaboration with three institutional partners, successfully established an outreach Access training centre as part of a Strategic Innovation Funded (SIF) project to target disadvantage. Annually presented students results for progression to undergraduate degrees to the academic council of University of Ireland Galway and NUIG Access Manager.

1981 – 2004 Clarecare, Harmony Row, Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland Pre-School Manager
Developed, managed and advised 26 Early Childhood Education and Care services.
Developed policy and procedures relating to employment and continued professional development for staff.
Represented Co. Clare on the National Committee of the Irish Preschool Playgroups Association. As Chairperson of the education sub-committee developed the ‘Playgroup Introductory Course for Playgroup leaders’ (1984).

Teaching Period 1 2022
Unit coordination Master of Teaching:
EDUC 5520 The Artistic and Expressive Child

EDUC 5689 Physical Development, Movement and Health.

Unit Coordinaton and Lecturer Undergraduate Minor

Semester 1 2022

EDUC 1102 Learning Effectively: Improving Your Learning and Teaching 

Unit coordination and lecturer Master of Education.

EDUC5620 Master's Dissertation

Semester 2 2022
Unit Coordinator and Lecturer Master of Education

EDUC5620 Dissertation

Unit Coordinator and Lecturer Undergraduate

EDUC2205 Learning in the Professions