Being the Change for the Next Generation with Ray Everest

In this episode of the Coffin Dodgers podcast, Simon interviews Ray Everest, a transformative figure who has transitioned from being a teenage father, to a teacher, and then to a successful entrepreneur and advocate for early childhood education reform. The conversation spans Ray's early life in Tokoroa, his experiences in the educational sector, and ultimately, his shift to founding and running Future Focus, a chain of high-quality childcare centres. The discussion also delves into Ray's personal battles, including surviving childhood sexual abuse, and how these experiences have fuelled his mission to innovate and create environments where children can thrive. We focus on Ray's vision for Oro Focus and Oro Tech, technologies aimed at identifying and preventing early childhood trauma through better data collection and analysis, aiming to revolutionise the early childhood education sector. The episode highlights Ray's relentless drive, the importance of addressing underlying issues in education, and the power of innovation in creating lasting societal change.

00:48 Meet Ray Everest: Teacher, Family Man, Visionary

02:06 Ray's Upbringing in Tokoroa

04:07 Teenage Fatherhood and Life-Changing Decisions

12:48 The Role of Mentors and Teachers

17:15 Becoming a Principal: Challenges and Realisations

42:25 Journey to London and Beyond

45:41 Whirlwind Romance and New Beginnings

51:56 Life in Doha: A Cultural Shift

53:21 The Booze Baron of Qatar

59:57 Return to New Zealand and Teaching in Manurewa

01:15:49 Challenges of Traditional Education

01:25:17 Transition to CrossFit and Business

01:50:27 Entering Early Childhood Education

01:57:16 Challenges in Daycare

01:59:23 Building a Better Company

02:01:32 Future Focus

02:05:15 Addressing Child Abuse

02:11:27 Innovations in Early Childhood Education

02:26:26 Engaging with Policymakers

02:35:12 Final Thoughts

Find Ray on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-everest-0a6

Future Focus: @futurefocus_earlylearning

Podcast: @futurefocusedpodcast

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