Teachers with a disability a big asset But

Teachers with a disability, a big asset! But what can teacher training institutes do to improve their transition to teacher training programs?

Presenters Heidi Adriaensen Karin Goosen Gratiekapelstraat 10 2000 Antwerp Belgium 003232654062 karin. goosen@ua. ac. be 2

Project ‘Teachers of Tomorrow’ Attracting and retaining more people from diverse groups ‘Teachers of Tomorrow’ team Teachers of Tomorrow with a disability § Annick § Inge 3

Annick 28 years old Master in psychology Student teacher Almost blind 4

Inge 23 years old Master in linguistics Student teacher a wheelchair user 5

What inspired them to become a teacher? Inge: ‘I really need interaction with people’ Annick: ‘I volunteered for one year in a school for disabled children in Costa Rica. Sometimes I had the opportunity to teach them and I liked it a lot. ’ 6

Disabled teachers, a big asset? Chafia, an old student-teacher of Heidi: ‘When Misses Adriaensen came to observe my lessons in the nursery school, she stood in the middle of the classroom and she experienced everything that happened in the classroom instead of sitting at the back and staring at me. She gave me a lot of very usable feedback afterwards in an other way than the other docents do. It was a very nice and instructive experience. Not only for me, the toddlers also liked her kind of observing. ’ 7

Experiences in higher education There were a lot of good facilities in the university: § § § All courses and tests on computer Helpful teachers Interested students Good infrastructure (ex. speaking elevator) … 8

Experiences in higher education In the training school there were less facilities BUT very helpful pupils and teachers! 9

Experiences in higher education PROBLEM ‘Very difficult when people doubt your abilities or when people don’ t have confidence in you!’ ‘I hate prejudices!’ 10

Yes! We can The story of Heidi Adriaensen, a disabled teacher trainer 11

What can teacher training institutes do? Listen to the student Plan together some actions to make acces easier Inform the students about the courses and about the job as a teacher at the beginning BUT Do teacher training institutes have to mention the barriers and the job opportunities at the beginning? 12

What can teacher training institutes do? One golden rule: Have confidence in the disabled student teacher Let them try Let them experience Let them learn And let them make their own decisions 13