Teacher joins select few
Umina resident Ms Leisa Hadley has become part of a select group of NSW educators specifically qualified to teach children with sensory impairment.
Ms Hadley was awarded a Masters of Special Education (Hearing Impairment) through the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children's Renwick Centre recently.
"I always wanted to work in special education, but I became particularly interested in hearing impairment during my first degree when I studied Auslan (Australian Sign Language) and worked casually with children with hearing impairment at a nearby high school," Ms Hadley said.
"The course gave me the opportunity to link these interests together."
With her new qualification, Ms Hadley now teaches a kindergarten class at the centre's specialised school for children who have a hearing and/or vision impairment as well as additional disabilities.
"I see so much of what I've learnt in the classroom every day," Ms Hadley said.
"There's so much diversity with the children I work with, but the course has really helped me ensure their needs are met.
"I feel really lucky that I've found something I really enjoy doing and that I find really interesting."
The Renwick Centre is affiliated with the University of Newcastle and more than 400 Australian and international students have received postgraduate awards through the university since it commenced its postgraduate programs in 1994.
Chair of the Centre Professor Greg Leigh said there were only a handful of available courses, which provide formal qualifications for teachers and related professionals in this field.
"These professionals are now working across Australia and internationally, actively contributing to improving the quality and effectiveness of educational services for children with sensory disabilities," Professor Leigh said.
"Our staff are high in demand worldwide to present at conferences and seminars, and to conduct workshops for teachers, therapists and related professionals working in the field of sensory impairment."
Press release, 24 June 2009
Alissa Crawford, Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children