Why faculties in SVG want Particular Training Wants academics – Searchlight
Posted on December 7, 2021
It was interesting to hear a school principal explain the difficulties faced by pupils with special educational needs and the urgent need for better teacher training so that pupils with special educational needs can be easily integrated into normal classes. His reputation was that the Ministry of Education and the teacher training courses offered were more responsive to these students and their special needs and how they could be integrated into the classroom. Therefore, one SEN must be available per school.
TYPES OF SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS
Not all special educational needs in the classroom are easy to identify. If a child has a particular learning difficulty entering a new class or just starting school, the teacher must be made aware of this either by the parents or through a prior medical or psychological examination of the child’s learning disparity. Once the teacher is aware of the child’s difficulties, they should be able to include the child in the group and respond to their educational needs.
However, there are cases when parents fail to realize their child has learning difficulties or simply say they are a little slow. Some learning differences can be very subtle, and it is only when the child enters the classroom with their classmates that these differences are noticed.
There are many types of special needs students whose training is led by teachers with special education degrees. Some impairments are easy to spot and can be objectively defined, such as blindness or deafness. Other types of special needs students, such as those with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), psychiatric problems, and multiple disabilities, require a diagnosis from a professional. Some special needs students have learning difficulties, such as those with dyslexia or dyscalculia, while others have physical impairments such as muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy. Students with special needs are also often categorized according to their degree of disability. The values can range from easy to moderate to difficult to deep.
WHO IS THE TEACHER FOR SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS?
The challenge in the SEN teaching profession is one of the reasons why it is more rewarding and offers more job satisfaction than a typical teaching profession. After all, it’s amazing to work with disadvantaged children and see them accomplish things beyond what they thought possible.
SKILLS REQUIRED TO BE A SEN TEACHER
Empathy, teamwork, organizational talent, adaptability and flexibility
Communication Skills Behavioral Management Skills Story Building Skills Administrative Skills
Skills and knowledge
You need:
• In-depth knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses and materials
• Sensitivity and understanding
• Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work well with others
• the ability to create the best conditions for learning or teaching new things
• in-depth knowledge of the English language
• be flexible and open to change
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• Be able to use a computer and key software packages competently, and understand diagnoses of a student’s skills and differences.
In order to be able to teach students with hearing impairments, visually impaired or multi-sensory impairments, you need further professional qualifications.
Daily tasks
• Plan lessons and prepare teaching materials
• Teach whole classes, work with small groups and encourage students individually
• Help students develop confidence, independence and skills for life
• manage, motivate and encourage student behavior
• Mark and evaluate work
• Create inventories and reports relating to the student’s weaknesses, strengths and progress
• Understand and apply an IEP (Individual Education Plan)
• Methodology vary. One size doesn’t fit all.
• Collaboration with specialist teaching services, medical staff, therapists and psychologists
• Talk to parents and guardians about their children’s progress
• Attend meetings, legal reviews and training workshops
• Provide training for other teachers on special needs issues
SEN teaching is certainly not for everyone – but for the right person with the required skills and qualifications, working with SEN students can be an enormously rewarding career. They would be responsible for inspiring and shaping their lives for future obstacles while learning from them at the same time. If you have real empathy and are serious about pursuing your dream career as an SEN teacher, start the work to build on the role and make a difference.
Contributed by Lynden Punnett BA.Cert.Ed.Dip.TEFL.Dip.SpLD (dyslexia)
