Kim Bodley’s Journey of Educational Innovation

Staff profiling article for Kim Bodley, Education Consultant for the MR Price Foundation Programme

Kim Bodley, an education consultant with JET Education Services, is currently working on the teacher development component of the Mr Price Foundation (MRPF) programme. She contributes to the Edurise programme in Hammarsdale, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), aimed at improving local schools and community engagement.

She also works on the Anglo-American South Africa (AASA) Education Programme, focusing on parental involvement in early childhood education in mining communities. Her role empowers parents to actively support their children’s education at home and in schools.

Kim is further involved in NQF Level 4 Early Childhood Development training for 30 unqualified practitioners in KZN, helping to upskill women and youth in under-resourced areas. Beyond building knowledge, she focuses on building confidence among practitioners to adopt diverse teaching methods.

Her passion lies in early childhood development (ECD), especially learning through play during the Foundation Phase. She has developed strategies to effectively involve parents in school communities and has helped educators gain confidence in using CAPS-aligned resources in the classroom.

Kim values seeing educators innovate and use training resources within their teaching. Through her work in the MRPF and AASA programmes, she supports educational initiatives that promote creativity, research, and continuous improvement.

She regards JET as a strategic and innovative organisation committed to meaningful impact. She is particularly inspired by its holistic approach, which includes school leaders, educators, parents, and communities. She also finds value in the use of AI tools like Eduten and Kolab in the MRPF programme, which support teacher development and enhance classroom learning.

Kim is also focused on integrating Grade R into the Foundation Phase, ensuring that educators at this level receive equal training and support to help children build strong foundational skills before entering Grade 1.

Her work with JET has enriched her professional growth, offering opportunities to tackle challenges through innovation, adaptability, and context-specific solutions.