Moving students

I have been doing a great deal of work on one student who has a history of losing hearing aids and moving schools. I have organised a new set of loaner aids for this student as they are in desperate need of them. Last week they were uplifted from school which was another serious blow to their stability, and I needed to upskill myself in the process of CYFs in order to ensure that I would be able to get her aided still.

It's been a good hour of investigation but I now have a set of contacts and steps to take in case I am dealing with this situation again.

Feedback from a Parent

Feedback from a Parent via email: 

"Thanks for this. I do appreciate so much the on going support that you have given to ***** and myself.  It has been so helpful to find someone that actually wants to help and does follow up on what they say they will do.
So a huge thanks from me and ***** because it has made a massive difference already for ***** having that positive support that you have given her."

Feedback from my role as a Broker to a new trainee RTD

It was a great experience to act as a Broker for a trainee on my team. The many questions and guidance situations really forced me to move beyond my comfort zone on several occasions. The new course material also kept me up-to-date on developments in deaf ed. It was great to get some acknowledgement from the RTD as to how supportive I was.

Feedback from Audiology

I received some feedback from an audiologist today that informed me that I was on the right track. My goal recently has been to establish good working / communication relationships with the staff at audiology... 

"Hi Paul,Just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate getting some feedback (and a copy of your report) from you as to how ****** is doing!  Many thanks for your help with ******."

ASSIST Meeting in Wellington

The First meeting of ASSIST. 

The first meeting of the ASSIST team members from the whole of New Zealand was held in Wellington today. It was great to have a chance at revisiting all the key elements of the role as well as an opportunity to meet the staff from other districts who will be an invaluable source of assistance.
Key elements of the day consisted of...

• the revisit of priority scaling. I was able to consolidate what each of the categories comprised of. 
• A chance for Q&A with immediate issues dealt with. 
• An opportunity to speak with those already working the role and establish good professional relationships with the team. Already I have picked up several need-to-know hints that would have proved barriers in my first weeks. 

Visit to the SuperClinic

As part of my new ASSIST role, I went along with some colleagues to the Manukau SuperClinic. The benefits to my knowledge base and understanding of processes was invaluable and will affect the way in which I pass information on to schools my families. My priority today was making contacts with the key people at the audiology clinic.

The most exciting discovery was the possible initiation of a drop-in clinic which would allow Students/families or RTDs to drop in without need for an appointment for 10min max sessions. Broken hearing aid molds or simple matters will be able to be dealt with swiftly and efficiently. 

Christchurch Assistive Tech Day

I was given the opportunity to share my work into iPad setting up and distribution with the NZSL in Schools team. After a huge delay at the airport due to storms, I finally made it down in time for a 6 hour sleep before we got stuck into a full day of policy and criterion setting. 

It was great to be able to be part of the key decision making as already the roll-out is affecting one of my students in a very positive way. I was restful to have the chance to act as an advocate for him and countless others to come. 

Mainstream Teacher Course 2014

Another year has passed and despite my nervousness (it never seems to get less so) I can notch up another mainstream teacher course on my belt. Once again the new set of teachers attended, one for the second time in three years, and all seemed thoroughly satisfied with both course material and the manner in which is was presented.

It was fantastic to have everyone from the Franklin teach pitch in this year with some very noteworthy presentations sessions from Teena, Nick and Shona.

It was great to be able to take a step back this year from the situation in 2013 where I was presenting the majority of the day. I compare this to the old adage "Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach him to fish and he eats his whole life".

Hopefully in 2015 the team will be able to take on even more presenting responsibility as I believe we learn most as RTDs through explaining and presenting the information than we use innately each day in our roles.

1 - Establish and Maintain effective professional relationships focused on the learning and well-being of all akonga.,

Criteria 1. 
Establish and maintain effective professional relationships focused on the learning and well-being of all ākonga

Tātaiako Competency - Whanaungatanga (Relationships {students, school-wide, community} with high expectations)

Criteria 1. 

Reflective question. What do I do to establish working relationships with ākonga, their whānau and my colleagues and others to support the learning of those I teach? Comments/Evidence.