Linda is a single mother with four children, and one of her sons has multiple disabilities. As he was going through his schooling, she felt passionately that he should have the same opportunities and access to education as his peers and siblings.
Despite the personal challenges she faced, her motivation to foster inclusivity for all students led her to completing a Bachelor of Special Education. Today she is a special education teacher and is giving all of her students the ability and opportunity to achieve success.
Special education in different school contexts
Linda began her teaching career at Caboolture Special School, where she worked as part of a team to support students with disability.
After her own experience with her son, Linda's aspiration was to support students with disability to attend their local school, so she began working as an outreach special education teacher.
Based at Beerwah State School, she visited smaller schools in the area, like Glass House Mountains State School, Peachester State School and Beerburrum State School each week to support the students, families, teachers and staff in those communities.
For the past two years, Linda has been at Landsborough State School working as part of a team of specialists for inclusive education and student wellbeing.
Linda recognises that there's no 'one size fits all' when it comes to inclusive education.
'Every school is on a different journey, but all schools are working on inclusive education,' she said.
'We're aiming to support all students to reach their full potential, no matter what that might be, because for everyone, that's different.'
The role of a special education teacher
Linda works as part of a multidisciplinary team, working alongside classroom teachers to support them to make reasonable adjustments for students with disability, so they can access and participate fully at school. Depending on the needs of the student, teams can consist of Head of Curriculum (HoC), classroom teachers, teacher aides, advisory visiting teachers, guidance officers, speech language pathologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, state school registered nurses, and other regional Principal Advisors/coaches – Autism, Auslan, Mental Health, positive behaviour coordinators and student protection advisors.
Looking intensively at the curriculum across year levels, the team identify adjustments, so students can access and participate in the curriculum alongside their peers. 'The content is adapted and scaffolded, so those students can find success within the year level at which they're working,' Linda said.
'Parents and caregivers are also a very important part of the process. We work very closely with them to understand the child's learning style and individual needs, so that we can develop highly individualised plans.'
'You really get to know each child and watch them gain confidence right in front of you. Building that relationship and having them identify themselves as learners is important in earning their trust.'
Linda also helps students transition to high school by preparing them early, with visits to the campus, and getting to know the new schooling environment and teaching staff there.
She said that seeing her past students at the high school, and witnessing their growth and independence, was a real highlight. Last year she attended a school camp, and one of the students she had supported in school was now working there.
'All teachers hope to prepare students for life after school, so seeing them work at the camp was amazing!' she said.
Skills of a special education teacher
Linda describes her job as being multi-layered, with a range of skills needed to work in such a diverse role.
'You need to have a passion for learning and teaching because you'll always be learning new things and sharing that knowledge and experience with others. A solid understanding of the curriculum is a must," she said.
'You also need great interpersonal skills because you deal with a range of people, including the students, their families and caregivers, school communities and staff, specialists, and the wider community.
'You need to be willing to collaborate and communicate, while being flexible and adaptable, because you become an advocate for the students and their families.
'I love supporting teachers on their journey with inclusion and making sure all students can access the curriculum.
'I find every day so rewarding. I know it sounds cliché, but I really do."
If you want to make a difference for students of all abilities, start your teaching journey today.