So- was it all worthwhile?

After spending 11 months away from home, as a volunteer Special Education teacher trainer and SEN adviser, taking part in a country's development programme, receiving a subsistence stipend, the question has to be asked: was it all worthwhile?

I can count 20 teachers, working in Guyana's special schools and units, now trained up as a team of classroom SEN teachers who can train other teachers in good SEN practices.

Bread making- always a winner. Trainee teacher Jamilla with students from  St Barnabas.

Sir Thakur, retired mainstream teacher, learns SEN active learning strategies- using soda bottle lids

Miss Saskia- introducing a visual timetable- with class participation through singing and actions

Having credibility was important for me. In my career, I have spent hours and days in training sessions of varying use, ranging from excellent,eminently useful, thought provoking and challenging to down right in-credible,  internally wondering when the trainer or the inspiration behind the training (be it government or education expert) was last in an ordinary classroom in front of ordinary children.
Therefore once training needs were identified, my principle training method was to turn up in the classroom, with locally prepared resources, "Do it", and afterwards analyse the planning, preparation and execution.
The secondary option was to conduct a mock lesson, with the teachers acting as pupils, with feedback and discussions.

Model lesson- at Wismar Hill Low Vision unit. A learning curve for me too.

Training teachers and rehabilitation staff to use Motor Skills for  Occupational Therapy  practice and to develop essential pre-literacy and pre- numeracy skills.