Though it was their last teaching day of the semester, a group of soon-to-be teacher’s aids still had a lot of questions about the experience of those who go through school life with disabilities.
The Aspire group, which coordinator Tiarne Pell described as “a group of young adults with disabilities,” met with South Metropolitan TAFE’s Certificate 4 Education Support and Certificate 3 Additional Needs students, who will go on to work with special needs children in their daily lives.
Aspire’s volunteers, many of whom are only a few years out of school themselves, spoke with the TAFE students about their personal experiences, in the hope that the future teacher’s aids might have a better grasp on what special needs students go through.
TAFE lecturer Ira Casserly said: “It fitted perfectly with the needs of our Ed Support groups and Billy Dower. It was great to see our students engaging with the group- wonderful practice for work placement”.
TAFE lecturer Judi Sharp said she thought the Aspire group offered great insight to the TAFE students, and first-hand accounts of what worked in dealing with their special needs and what didn’t, as well as many of the issues they faced, including bullying.
“They also get the opportunity to volunteer with the Aspire group in future… I think quite a few of them will,” Ms Sharp said.
“The Aspire members, it gives them a connection so they feel valued, and important, and so they are able to help other students like themselves in future,” she said.
