I am a qualified teacher and I enjoy working as a SEN teacher finding it a very rewarding career even though it is challenging sometimes.
The ability to guide a generation of young people to achieve their goals is something very special and a role I cherish, even if it does call for a high level of effort and dedication. I work closely with young people who, due to physical impairments, behavioural issues or learning disabilities require additional support in some, or all, of the aspects of their schooling. I take responsibility for the education and welfare of a class of students in accordance with the requirements of the National Curriculum and school policies. In addition to the knowledge and training to provide a high standard of education, I believe that my duty is to understand how to best work one-on-one with pupils and ensure that, at all times, they feel their learning environment is a safe and a supportive one.
I believe that communication is an important skill in teaching especially in SEN education, which I have gained it by working closely with parents and guardians liaise with other professionals, such as social workers, speech and language therapists, physiotherapists and educational psychologists. Also, I feel that the patience and empathy are some of the skills needed for this position. Every student learns at all different rates and as an educator I would apply persistence and patience to support the student’s learning. Since training as a teacher and working experiences, I have gained ICT skills in regards to the ability to switch on a computer, log in and connect to the appropriate platforms and programs; using ICT hardware to scan, print and copy documents; using a digital camera to capture photographs or video footage; editing images using computer software; using a search engine such as Google to find information; using computers and the internet safely, for example, keeping personal information private, and avoiding viruses, identity theft and other online threats.
I believe that all leaners benefit from motivation, inspiration and challenge. I follow this by applying positive reinforcement www.*** by praising for every right action made or giving them another try. This is a way that students can promote a good progress and outcomes. Encouraging activities such as social stories will help in behavioural development of verbal and non -verbal children, which is very important as early detection can improve communication skills. Students are supported in a variety of different ways as appropriate to their needs which include individual support, in small groups and in class. Base on National Curriculum, I am matching the learning to the needs and abilities of the students using a range of strategies to develop the pupils’ knowledge, understanding and skills including the use of ICT. I focus on the well- structured lessons and I am adapting learning materials such as worksheets, books and activities to suit the students’ needs. As a class teacher, I continually assess each child and note areas where they are improving and where further support is needed. To manage behaviour effectively in the class, I have to make myself consistent and predictable- in lesson structure and in how I intervene and respond- this means having a lot of emotional control; avoiding the complex language, being plain and simple and use of imagery will help in keeping calm students with challenging behaviour. I encourage positive friendships- my own friendship with students as well as helping them makes positive relationships themselves. Modelling the appropriate behaviour I want to maintain in class means that it was established a good and safe learning environment for all students.
I am actively involved in the curriculum, implementing it in the classroom, blending theory with practice for the students’ best learning and understanding.
My professional integrity is based on acting with honesty in all aspects of my work and respect the privacy of others as well as being committed to equality and inclusion and to respecting and accommodating diversity including those differences arising from gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, race etc. I am a caring, fair and committed to the best interests of the students entrusted to their care, and seek to motivate, inspire and celebrate effort and success seeking to develop positive relationships with students, colleagues, parents, school management, or others in the school community. I work to establish and maintain a culture of mutual trust and respect. I am committed to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of students by protecting them from abuse and maltreatment, preventing harm to their health or development and creating environment that meets the special educational needs of each student.
Flexibility and adaptability are two qualities I possess and I think they go hand in hand with one another. The more flexible a teacher’s approach, the better students are able to adapt to the room and the higher the chances are of increased student participation and engagement- ensuring that no student gets left behind.
Some of my qualities I possess are patience, enthusiasm, dedication, creativity and sense of humour. Patience is the key because it can be often tested when working with students with complex needs such as refusal, confrontation, aggression, repetition. But hand in hand with that is the incredible reward when I see progress. After weeks of activities around how to read and write the initial sound /s/ the moment that student, completely unprompted, makes a sound like a snake… it’s all worth it. It is my job as a teacher to inspire the children in my care so at 8:50 we start the show with enthusiasm no matter how exhausted we feel. One of my favourite things about teaching children with Special Needs is that you get more freedom with what you teach and how you teach it. It really is all about the individual child and finding a way to inspire them, enabling them to understand the concept. Creating multi- sensory activities are fantastic- giant story sacks, singing and dancing, cooking and eating and of course anything that involves of bit of mess.
Teaching children with Special Needs is not super easy so I will not last 2 minutes without a sense of humour. If you don’t laugh, you will cry!
All these qualities are essential to any type of teaching, but you need an extra measure of each of them to succeed in a Special Needs environment. Teaching in a SEN School is a challenging job, but it is by a long way the most rewarding.
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Lacramioara B.
Tutor, Teacher, Instructor
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