Fruitful Academic Year 22/23

Introduction

Reflecting on the 2022-2023 academic year, it's been quite a fruitful year professionally. I achieved many accomplishments across teaching, technology, curriculum development, and supporting students and staff.

Teaching Innovations and Awards  

I introduced several teaching innovations this year. My visual trackers were highlighted in the college's final Ofsted published report as an example of good practice. I became the NatSpec Tech-ability champion, promoting assistive technology. I contributed to Teaching and Learning by delivering a CPD session on visual trackers. I developed an independent living skills curriculum utilising technology to build employability and independence. I delivered training to improve staff aptitude with assistive technology.

I was nominated for supporting a student through mental health struggles. I won a National Teaching Assistant Award to become a Twinkl Dyslexic Champion. I also won the college's Innovation Award, recognising my use of trackers, assistive technology, and inspiring learners to embrace technology.

Supporting Students

I supported students in several ways. I created a centralised digital resource of key documents accessible via QR codes. I built a website to promote neurodiversity awareness and improve literacy. I converted album lyrics to digital braille for a visually impaired student. I refined my independent living skills teaching strategy, improving student confidence and communication. I equipped a student with job fair resources, leading to employment. 

Curriculum Improvements

I made improvements to the curriculum as well. My research on mental models of money led to an improved curriculum. I developed a new work experience tracker expanding this autumn.

Supporting Staff 

I supported staff development too. I upskilled staff from another college on using tech for communication. I delivered training to improve staff aptitude with assistive technology.

Policies and Publications

Some of my work led to institutional changes. The college adopted my visual trackers into formal policy. One of my publications received its 100th citation - a milestone!

Looking Ahead

I accomplished all this as a result of working with outstanding colleagues, under the guidance of distinguished leadership and a perfect work environment. Excited to see what the 2023-2024 academic year brings!

Wired and Inspired! - Envisioning a world that inspires the differently wired

Professionally speaking, I had a really good year capped by winning a National Teaching Assistant Award to become a Dyslexic Champion for Dyslexic Mum sponsored by Twinkl. I also won the college's Innovation Award, recognising my use of trackers, assistive technology, and inspiring learners to embrace technology. 

Since the end of term, I have been collaborating with Collette from Dyslexic Mum. I have been providing resources such as information on the availability of dyslexia assessments, how to respond to a government SEND consultation, and sharing market research to promote a petition to address social inequality in accessing dyslexia assessments. Based on this work, I have been offered the role of Brand Ambassador.  

However, there has been some difficulty receiving acknowledgement without owning my personal brand as a platform to share these resources. So my new venture into social media marketing and advocacy will be called "INSPIRED and WIRED - Envisioning a world that inspires the differently wired."

This new academic year, I have timetabled to deliver ICT courses. So, I hope to incorporate developing the brand as part of the course, allowing learners to develop new skills in content creation, social media strategy, and branding. 

Welcome aboard INSPIRED and WIRED - Envisioning a world that inspires the differently wired! I'm excited to continue advocating for neurodiversity, assistive technology, and empowering students to embrace their full potential. Let's make this year one of meaningful impact.

My Calling Found Me: Embracing Innovation in Special Education

Finding My Passion in Special Education

When the pandemic hit and teachers were placed into bubbles, it ended up being a blessing in disguise for me. I finally felt valued as I was given more time to reflect on my true calling as an educator. In my spare moments, I began researching ways to better support students with learning differences, particularly those with dyslexia like myself. Although undiagnosed until adulthood, I now recognize the daily struggles I faced as a dyslexic learner. This led me to create resources on my website "Dino-Resource-US" to promote awareness and help other students who learn differently.  

Taking a leap of faith, I accepted a position as a teaching assistant at Newfriars College's specialized SEND program. This has been a life-changing experience. The staff fully supports innovation and has created a pathway for me to get back into teaching. This year, I began delivering sessions on assistive technology to help students overcome barriers in literacy and promote independent living skills. Seeing their growth as they learn to use text-to-speech, speech-to-text, and accessibility settings is incredibly rewarding. My dream of being a teacher again feels within reach.

My passion for special education grows daily. The journey has shaped me into the educator I am today, and I look forward to expanding my assistive technology sessions next term. I'm thankful for the supportive community at Newfriars that empowers me to make a difference.

Climbing Out of the Black Hole: My Struggle With Mental Health

Finding Light Through Dark Times: My Journey with Anxiety and Depression

Mental health issues can strike anyone at any time. Even when life seems good on the outside, inner turmoil can take hold if the right triggers are hit. This was my experience a few years ago when, despite my usual cheerful exterior, severe anxiety and later depression took over my life.  

It started when the stress of finishing my PhD thesis collided with financial struggles and a breakup. The pressure to be perfect in my work, which had always driven me, started to backfire. I became obsessed with working constantly, yet made little progress as insomnia set in. A caring friend noticed my decline and intervened, bringing me to a doctor who prescribed sleeping medication so I could rest and reset.

With a deadline extension, I got back on track and submitted my thesis. But new challenges arose months later when I had to make major revisions in a short timeframe, alongside an exciting opportunity to publish in a top journal. My toxic perfectionism hijacked me again, plunging me into relentless anxiety and despair. I turned to unhealthy coping mechanisms like overspending and mixing alcohol with sleeping pills, losing all rational thought. Suicidal thoughts even crept in, tempting me to end the pain.  

Somehow I found running, which helped control my anxiety. I later walked away from my scientific career, realising perfectionism had become a poison. After this breaking point, I slowly rebuilt my life and my sense of self-worth. I was diagnosed with dyslexia and dyspraxia, which finally explained why I'd always had to work so much harder academically than peers. 

While shadows of anxiety and depression still cross my mind sometimes, I've come through the darkness. As starting a new career in education, I strive for progress, not perfection. I'm also a mental health advocate, sharing my story to help others know they aren't alone. Healing is possible. If you're struggling, please reach out. Small steps each day can lead you out of the depths back into light.

Stop the scroll: Engage

Here is a draft personal opinion blog post:

As a parent, there is one thing that really irks me - seeing other parents glued to their phones instead of engaging with their children. I've taken my kids to restaurants and seen parents just staring at their screens while their children try to get their attention. I've been to beaches, playgroups, and playgrounds where parents let their kids run wild so they can scroll on their phones. 

In my opinion, nothing is more valuable than quality time with your children. Physically playing with them and being present fosters social development and strengthens your bond. Children learn by modeling behavior, so when we ignore them for our devices, we teach them poor manners and set a bad example. 

I want my children to grow into good citizens with strong interpersonal skills. That won't happen if I'm disengaged, eyes glued to a screen. Like Willy Wonka said, time is precious - don't waste the precious, fleeting moments of childhood! 

Beyond development, I worry about privacy and safety when I see parents plastering their children's lives all over social media. Childhood moments should be cherished privately, not exploited for likes. 

Obviously we all need breaks and moments to check our devices. But when out with your kids, try to be fully present. Keep the phone in your pocket. Engage with them, embrace the moment, and model good behavior. Your children will thank you for it someday.

Festive Season has begun

Last week as I was doing my regular grocery shop at Tesco, I noticed they had already started stocking their Christmas Selection Boxes. This signalled to me that the festive marketing season has now begun, with Christmas treats hitting the shelves a good 4 months before Christmas.

While we all enjoy the occasional chocolate or sweet around Christmas, seeing all these sugary foods prominently displayed made me think about how so many of the foods associated with the holidays aren't exactly healthy choices. Most Christmas treats are loaded with sugar, fat, and calories from ingredients like chocolate, sweets, biscuits, sugary alcoholic liquors, and more.  

This got me thinking that there's probably an opportunity for companies to market some more nutritious foods using festive holiday branding and packaging. We live in a time where obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related diseases are on the rise. The NHS is also facing record waiting times.

Wouldn't it be great if we could encourage people to make slightly better food choices during the festiveseason, when overindulgence tends to be common? Promoting healthy, festive recipes and treats could potentially help people develop improved lifelong eating habits, rather than just going on fad diets every January.

Better diets lead to better physical and mental health in the long run. They also reduce people's likelihood of developing chronic illnesses down the road. As we enter another run in to the Christmas season, I think there's room for festive marketing to highlight some more nutritious options, rather than just confectionary and sugary foods. Our health and wellbeing could benefit from the shift.