My journey to becoming a Specialist Dyslexia Teacher
Thursday 10 February 2022
My journey to becoming a Specialist Dyslexia Teacher.
As a Learning Mentor in a primary school, I was aware of more children needing extra support in reading and spelling. To help these learners achieve their full potential, I decided to research dyslexia in depth and discovered that I could complete a level 5 online course with the British Dyslexia Association to become a Specialist Dyslexia teacher.
So, my journey on the Level 5 course began. I read the theories and publications recommended on the course to understand in detail how the dyslexic and neurotypical brains differ. The course explained why different teaching strategies are needed and how multisensory learning can strengthen the neural pathways.
I used this information as I assessed, planned, taught and reviewed a student’s learning. Then, my teaching was analysed and evaluated through video observations. Writing up my assignments was not easy at times and keeping within the word count meant lots of cutting and summarising! However, I had a great BDA tutor, she was very supportive and her feedback very constructive, plus the group forum.
Achieving my accreditation from the BDA has given me more confidence to advocate for the dyslexic learner. I am able to share what I have learned with my colleagues and provide more support to our Literacy Lead and SENCO.
From studying with the BDA, my phonics knowledge has been extended and colleagues and visiting educators have commented on my subject knowledge in explicit teaching of reading and spelling.
Teaching children using a specialised dyslexic programme with multi-sensory approaches to meet their individual needs, has enabled learners to develop their metacognition, experience success and gain confidence. Consequently, I have seen great progress with children I have been working with.
I continue to research dyslexia and strategies to help learners achieve reading and spelling skills, to ensure I can support them the best I can.
I add details to a blog/site I have formed ‘Helping Your Child learn to Read and Spell’ and share this information with parents and educators at my school or anyone else who finds it useful.
I was so pleased when a dyslexic educational site mentioned my blog and told their readers to ‘check it out’. I would not have been able to achieve this without the BDA’s course.
I definitely recommend the BDA’s level 5 dyslexia course, as I have found the extra specialist information I have acquired really gives me the understanding and knowledge to help dyslexic learners reach their goals by teaching them in a way they learn best.