Training will tackle dyslexia

htw280518sp01 SPELD NZ teacher Maree Wisniewski works with a pupil in a specialised one-on-one lesson. Photo / Supplied

Special training is available in Hamilton later this month for teachers who may be unaware they have children with learning difficulties in their classroom.

SPELD NZ is holding a two-day introductory workshop on June 14 and 15 for teachers and others with teaching qualifications who are not currently working in classrooms.

SPELD is a not for profit organisation that provides nationwide assessment and tuition services for children and adults with specific learning difficulties (SLD) such as dyslexia.

"In the Waikato we have areas without tuition services. We would dearly love to get some teacher trainees to cover more rural and isolated areas throughout North and South Waikato as well as in Hamilton," says executive officer Jeremy Drummond.

"Not being able to read or write or do maths affects a student for their entire life; it limits education pathways, employment options, income and even participation in clubs and societies," Mrs Drummond says.

She says SPELD has some scholarships from funders for places on the introduction to SLD course in Hamilton and interested applicants should get in touch as soon as possible.

"It is not easy to attract already busy teachers to undertake more work and commit financial resources but many teachers will not even be aware that they have SLD students in their classes unless they have been taught to recognise the signs and symptoms."

"Our introductory course opens their eyes to the possibilities not only for helping SLD children but improving their overall teaching as it is great professional development," Mrs Drummond says.

"We have teachers saying 'if only I knew all this earlier I could have helped so many more children'."

She says many of the teachers who do the introductory course have indicated an interest in doing the full qualification.

"Communities need diversity to thrive so we cannot afford to ignore the needs of these children. It makes sense to help them before negative behaviours and attitudes develop. To do this we need more teachers and greater community awareness and acceptance."

The remedial intervention programme changes lives, children learn to manage their disability, to have confidence and self-belief, and they develop positive self-esteem.

The pathway for training SPELD NZ teachers is an online NZQA-approved Level 5 course now underway for 2018. Interest in its 2019 course is welcomed from those with a minimum of one year of classroom experience. Scholarships may be available to help with funding course fees.

Scholarships avaliable
Teachers and parents/whānau from Hamilton and the wider Waikato area with an interest in supporting those with SLD can attend Introduction to Specific Learning Disabilities (NZQA-approved level 3).

The two-day workshop in Hamilton on June 14 and 15 is an opportunity to gain insights into why dyslexia and other SLDs occur, experience what it's like to have an SLD and acquire constructive, practical strategies to help learners in the classroom and at home.

SPELD NZ has scholarships to help teachers cover the cost of attending the workshop. To find out more call 0800 773 536 or email northern@speld.org.nz