Kerry Gr

My Summary

My Experience

Please find below some of information about me specialist teaching experience.

During my previous teaching roles, I gained valuable insight and understanding of working with students with a variety of complex needs. I enhanced my knowledge as an Unqualified Teacher in the Autism Department, teaching KS2/3. Within a TEACCH style environment, focusing on the Autism Education Trust framework to assess learning and plan next steps. Many of the students are non-verbal and therefore communicate through the use of PECS, Grid Player and Makaton. The role included: planning and delivering a personalised curriculum to meet their individual needs, managing a team of four teaching assistants, developing and maintaining effective communicative relationships with parents and other members of the multi-agency team and keeping relevant and effective records and assessments. Alongside this I also continued to maintain a high level of awareness and understanding of safeguarding children as well as attended relevant training to develop my practice. I also continually reflected on my practice to develop and improve my teaching strategies, to give each student the best opportunities to learn and develop.

My primary aims were to focus on developing student's education, communication, social interaction and personal care in order to promote independence. This was often extremely challenging, however encouraged me to grow within the job role. As a strong team player this often required exercising problem-solving skills and formulating imaginative solutions. I was very driven, dedicated and focused on how best to help the students fulfil their needs and reach their full potential.

I have worked as a 1:1 teaching assistant, alongside the EYFS team, to create a secure and varied learning environment for a student with ASD/SLD. This involves liaising with multi-agency teams, attending meetings and developing positive relationships with parents. Key areas of development have included, but not limited to, increasing communication in order to decrease negative and challenging behaviours and most importantly to listen to the student's voice (non-verbal cues and PECS). Using sensory integration techniques to help regulation of processing and establishing systems, structures and routines to promote independence and increase self-esteem.

Within the class team I often lead small group work and whole class teaching. I draw upon my ‘Attention Autism’ and ‘The Curiosity Approach’ training to provide highly engaging, physical activities that promote awe and inspire further independent learning. ‘Thinking Reading’ and ‘Read, Write Inc.’ training has provided me with a foundation of teaching phonics skills through a consistent approach. Often within the classroom I develop this further through engaging sensory activities that also provide children the opportunity to develop their motor skills.

Being able to identify pre-existing interests of pupils and expanding on them, to encourage self-motivation and to promote social communication is something that I really enjoy. I wish to use my knowledge of communication to encourage pupils to adjust and thrive in challenging and varied situations.

I believe I could contribute an enthusiastic attitude and friendly face to your family life. I am confident that my degree in Communication Studies and varied experience working with students would help me to contribute to easing family life.

Thank you for your consideration, I am looking forward to hearing from you.

My Qualifications

Sheffield Hallam University Communication Studies BA Hons 2.1

My Availability

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

My Fees

• Nannying from £15.00 per hour (gross)