In a special edition of #VoicesofAWWA and in celebration of #TeachersDay, let’s hear from some of AWWA’s teaching staff on their experiences caring for students with additional needs! You may read their stories here: https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/teachersdayvoa
Some of our teachers were interviewed by the media:
Ms. Nur Syafinaz, Senior Teacher at AWWA Early Intervention Centre (Fernvale) was interviewed by Berita Harian as part of a Teachers’ Day special where she shared about her challenges and experiences as a teacher to students with developmental needs.
Berita Harian, Tekad bantu murid istimewa mampu hidup berdikari (Determination to help students live independently), 4 September 2020
In her interview, Syafinaz shares that teachers need to understand the underlying causes of certain behaviours shown by students, so that appropriate strategies can be introduced. “At the beginning of the year, I set expectations for my students to show progress. Together with my client’s caregivers and my team members at school, we set out goals for the next six months. We focus on social skills, behaviour and adaptive skills such as eating and wear your own clothes,” says Syafinaz.
Ms. Shalini, Teacher at AWWA School was interviewed by The New Paper and Tamil Murasu as part of a Teachers’ Day special where she shared about her challenges and experiences as a teacher to students with additional needs.
The New Paper, These educators feel fulfilled teaching children with special needs, 7 September 2020
In her interview, Shalini shares that there has been challenges, but she is happy doing what she enjoys. “Even when the going gets tough, I am happy. My students have taught me so many life lessons that I can apply with my five-year-old son, for example patience, which I have cultivated over the years,” says Shalini.
Tamil Murasu, எதிர்பாராத முடிவு ஏற்படுத்திய மனநிறைவு (Satisfaction from unexpected results), 7 September 2020
In her interview, Shalini shares that she finds satisfaction in her work despite the challenges. She teaches classes such as writing and reading, as well as life skills such as eating, dressing and bathing to students between the ages of 7 and 18. The joy of seeing her students stand on their own two feet is unique, even if they do not have students who will become doctors or lawyers in the future.