So here I am, a little, lost remedial teacher trying to change the world...... And I need help. I need advice on where to start, I need people who can do the things I can't... I want to reach parents whose kids need help.... Offer lessons to those where this is in the budget, but also look at alternatives (such as workshops) for those where remedial help is a luxury.... I want to link up with other experts in the field and work with them to bring about huge, positive changes in how Special Needs children are helped in mainstream schools, as well as those in Special schools..... But I am still a very little remedial teacher... so anyone willing and able to help me reach any of these dreams, please contact me or like my page or join my group.... smile emoticon
Here's a brief history of how my dream started:

 

Well this all started last year when I was starting out as a private remedial teacher. A variety of issues soon arose -- partly from discussions with parents, partly from observations, partly from my experience working in a stat run Special School previously and partly from the situation involving one of my students -- he is so challenging that there just is not a suitable school place for him.

I became increasingly aware that something is not working and that changes need to be made. I brainstormed a load of ideas (you can see the basics on the FB group) and started talking to people and so some ideas have changed a bit, some have stonewalled (especially those involving the Department..... They do love their red tape) and some new ideas have emerged...

One of the ideas suggested by a few agencies was to see if there were therapists keen to do one or two hours per month pro bono or reduced ate work to give children in disadvantaged backgrounds a chance of accessing something. Even if this were just an assessment that could be used to justify grants etc. In order to ensure things were kept above board, it was felt that this would link specific childcare and education agencies to therapists and interventions. Hence the idea of a database.

The ultimate goal is going to be to set up a database/website/go to point for schools that offer specialist provision -- including mainstream schools. This way parents can find therapists, schools, teachers, equipment etc for their children, and disadvantaged children are catered to as well.

I also want to look at policy changes at Department level, and training for teachers and schools on implementation of Special Needs policies, Individual Education Plans, managing special needs within mainstream environments, using multisensory teaching approaches and more....

Not a small task,, but one that is dear to my heart and which I need as much help with as possible....