EDUC3026-Dr Leanne Fray-Reasonable Adjustments - Part 1_Week 2_default

Introduction

• Leanne Frey: Lead of primary literacy at the University of Newcastle.

• Background:

  • Worked in a research role at the university for approximately 10 years.

  • Former primary school teacher, mainly in the Hunter Valley area.

  • Various roles in education:

    • Classroom teacher

    • Teacher librarian

    • Support units in high schools

    • Various positions throughout her teaching career.

Case Study: A Student's Journey

• Context:

  • Student entered a local primary school in a low SES area.

  • Many students in the school had significant social and emotional issues.

• Student Introduction:

  • Joined kindergarten without a kindergarten history or identified issues.

  • Recent arrival from a traumatic background.

Initial Incident

• Observations:

  • Within the second week, the student exhibited violent behavior by throwing a chair at an SLSO (School Learning Support Officer).

  • Such behavior is atypical for kindergarten students, who generally exhibit excitement and slight anxiety when starting school.

Understanding the Behavior

• Ongoing Assessment:

  • Initiated a lengthy process to understand the underlying issues contributing to the student's behavior.

  • Explored both home environment influences and coping strategies within the classroom.

• Physical Reactions:

  • Noticed signs of stress:

    • Physical symptoms included weeping ears during stress periods.

    • Fist clenching observed, indicating heightened anxiety or aggression.

    • Attempted violent behaviors such as trying to stab classmates with pencils.

Strategies for Support

• Classroom Management:

  • Continuous negotiation to help the student feel comfortable in the classroom environment.

  • Developing adaptive strategies and supports to facilitate his schooling experience.

After listening to the first half of Leanne's story, here are some reflections:

Head (Cognitive Response):

• Leanne Frey's journey illustrates the complexities of educating students from traumatic backgrounds. It highlights the importance of understanding the underlying issues that students may face when entering the school system, particularly in low SES areas.

Heart (Emotional Response):

• The student's violent behavior evokes empathy, as it likely stems from traumatic experiences and challenges in their home environment. It's heartbreaking to see young children struggle with such significant social and emotional issues, and it calls for compassion and support in the educational system.

Hand (Practical Response):

• There is a clear need for strategies that can be implemented in classrooms to support students like the one described. Developing adaptive strategies and creating a comfortable classroom environment are crucial steps that educators can take to help such students succeed.