Special needs teachers undergo further training
Teachers of children with autism were yesterday exposed to further training through the Special Education Needs (SEN) in collaboration with ChildLink Inc at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).
The training was done through One Life Too Project and according to a release from the Ministry of Education National SEN Officer Savvie Hopkinson in her remarks reminded teachers of the need to grapple with and refresh their knowledge of the learning process.
And while there maybe obstacles Hopkinson told the teaches that these must be overcome in order for new knowledge to be gained. She reminded participants to be cognizant of environmental challenges such as access to learning opportunities and other aspects of the learning environment. Additionally, we are aware that students with Special Education Needs and Disabilities learn differently.
According to the release the SEN officer encouraged participants to embrace the fact that all children can learn as this is vital and must permeate the minds of teachers and be present in classrooms. She said it is the single factor that compels the teacher to reflect on presentation, methodology, differentiation and to treat respectably those who learn differently
Meanwhile, Director of ChildLink Omattie Madray, and “One Life Too”
Project Coordinator Amantha Hutson represented the organisation which has been a pillar in the training programs throughout the life of the project.
Huston indicated that as someone working with parents and children with a disability through the One Life Too Project, she has learned to be more accepting and to practice consideration when engaging people. “Often time you would hear that a child is at this age or grade at school and does not know to read or write their own name and immediately the blame falls on the teacher without any consideration that the child may have a learning disability or have other things going on at home that are preventing the child from making progress,” she pointed out.
She further said that it is the hope of Childlink that through these continuous training collaborations, teachers would have the tools needed to further help children while also giving guidance to parents.
The workshop sessions were facilitated by SEN Officers Gale Layne Blue who delivered on ‘Inclusive Classrooms and the Teacher’ and ‘Student Collaborations,’ and Yolanda Trotman Phillips who engaged participants on ‘Embracing Diversity’.
Twenty-one participants benefitted from the training exercise and they included
those from New Amsterdam Special School, David Rose Special School, Diamond Special Needs School, Beterverwagting SEND Centre, Schoonard Learning Centre for Diverse Needs,
Linden Resource Centre for Special Needs, Amelia’s Ward Primary, Vreed-EnHoop Primary and Gifted Hands Learning Centre.