Ruthie Hillen is a mother, a grandmother, an educator and a lover of children. She is a retired school principal and teacher with many years supporting parents and students.
Ruthie has a warm and generous spirit when talking with children. She values what they have to say. She is enthusiastic that the younger generations continue to be wise and capable of developing a positive future world for all. She believes that children, with adult encouragement and support, have the capacity to problem solve and use their energetic intelligence to move our world forward. Children thrive in the presence of positive adult role models and strong friendship circles. She delights in her grandchildren and a neighbourhood of youngsters who never fail to amuse and amaze. A healthy childhood is filled with fun and laughter.
It is her firm conviction that at the heart of healthy development for all children is their interaction between parents and extended families and friends. Later a positive teacher and parent relationships provides ongoing strong foundations for children. Nevertheless, the enjoyment of and enthusiasm for living begins long before school. It starts and is sustained throughout life, from the home that is secure, loving and offers a strong sense of set boundaries.
Ruth champions the need for adults to know how to play and to learn how such play can support developmental learning. She knows that the language of play is universal. She was brought up in Scotland within a supportive family and cooperative siblings! Dinner table chat was both boisterous and fun. Varying opinions were accepted. Although able to roam free in the agricultural countryside of a close farming community she knew the reins could be pulled in. She very much values the positive start that this family environment gave her.
Ruth has worked with students with a range of educational abilities and developmental disabilities. Her experiences as a school principal and teacher range across ages from early childhood to adolescents. She has worked in primary and high school settings, special education schools and centres, remedial centres, mental health support agencies, and hospital schools supporting students with long term health needs. Her experience includes working with parents and schools to resolve difficulties and plan cooperatively to meet students’ needs in the school and at home. With a strong university background in education, social work and psychology, Ruth has provided diagnostic assessments and assisted with program development for individual students. She has worked sympathetically and enthusiastically with parents and teachers to initiate school-wide and state-wide initiatives to support learning in a diverse and multicultural population.
Ruthie has contributed to research and policy making in Western Australian district and central office education departments, as well as within diverse school settings. She has run parent workshops and private consultations, in interventions and support, language acquisition and behaviour management. She has worked extensively with all ages of children supporting them to have faith, trusting in their capabilities and self worth, and reaching positively for goals. A speaker at many conferences, under the humour and fun of her rhetoric, runs a cutting rally call for the need to ensure the best targeted support and learning environment for all children.
