Salima Alam Hafeez | Faculty & staff bios

Name	Salima Alam-Hafeez
School	Child Development and Education Studies, School of Community Services
Program	Bachelor of Early Learning Program Development (Honours)
Academic and professional designations	Ph.D. studies specializing in Early Childhood Education at Concordia University Chicago Master of Education degree from Wilfrid Laurier University Bachelor of Education degree from Brock University Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) Early Childhood Education diploma from Sheridan College
Title	Professor
Courses taught	ECE71015 - Pedagogy in the Early Years ECE71050 - Play Based Pedagogy EDUC72000 - Curriculum Studies and Program Design EDUC74030 - Reconceptualizing Educational Theory in Practice FPLT72045 - Field Placement II FPLT72065 - Field Placement III SOCS71010 - Diversity, Equity and Social Inclusion in Program Development SOCS74020 - Professional Identity and the Socio-political Context
Areas of expertise & interest	Early years pedagogy Curriculum development Diversity, equity and inclusion
Industry experience, professional currency activities	Over 30 years of industry experience, making significant contributions to the early years sector in multiple role, including: Early years educator Post-secondary educator Researcher Administrator Consultant
Major research projects, scholarly activities, and/or publications	School of Community Services - SSHRC Grant, 2016-2019, Project Lead Research positions Project: Ideas Connect, Community-based Research: Early Learning Sector The aim of this research project/study was to collaborate with regional community partners to identify and support areas of need within the early learning sector, responding to municipal and provincial government and regulatory changes. Project: Waterloo Region Early Years' Workforce Study The Region of Waterloo Children's Services requested Conestoga College conduct a workforce study of early years' programs in the Waterloo Region as an extension of the Ideas Connect project. This research study informed the development of a local workforce strategy aimed at enhancing the sector's ability to attract and retain an engaged, integrated, and knowledgeable workforce. The goal was to ensure high-quality inclusive programming for all children and families in the Waterloo Region. The study specifically surveyed professionals in the early years' sector about their workplace experiences, focusing on elements that impact employment and career satisfaction, recruitment, and retention. Workshop/Guest speaking and presentations ECE Professional Resource Centre Region of Waterloo, Children Services Special Needs Resourcing Collaborative Waterloo District School Board Child Development Resource Connection of Peel Presentation topics Communities of Practice Educator as Researcher Diversity and Equity in the Workplace Culturally Responsive Pedagogy Program Development How Does Learning Happen Quality Practices in the Early Years Inter-professional Collaboration Classroom Strategies
Additional information	Salima is committed to advancing the early years sector by actively enhancing community capacity through collaboration with educators, students and community partners. Her extensive background and unwavering passion provide her with the comprehensive understanding and expertise needed to shape the future of early childhood education and program development in the early years.