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Rachel Green School of Research Science Lara Alsen Ontario International Canadian School William Coombe kidsFIRST Medical Center 6 months ago we didnt know each other

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Teaching 20 years, 17 in London. Worked pt. as Deputy Head Teacher and pt. for local authority as an advisor. Been in Dubai 3 years Seen as the specialist in my school! No-one to bounce ideas off. After 2 years feeling de-skilled, out of touch with current policy, isolated, unsure of expectations, under pressure to implement changes in line with KHDAless confident! Had I improved my professional knowledge in 2 years?

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Special Education Teacher: (M.Ed) 12 years (High School & Elementary experience) International Teaching Experience: Brussels (Belgium) & Toronto, Halifax (Canada) Currently Learning Resource Specialist at Ontario International Canadian School Moved to Dubai in August 2014 Felt isolated & was curious about what best practice for students with special needs looked like at other schools in Dubai Q. Who did you reach out to?

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Communications Director, kidsFIRST Medical Center 1 st Pediatric Medical Center in the UAE (2006) 50 licensed clinicians 45 schools and nurseries 1500 children Japanese Ministry of Education (1998-2000) MA TESOL (2008) UAE (2011) Policy versus Advisory

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William put Rachel and Lara in touch. We talked.about everything! A professional conversation! We visited each others schools. Then we had a brainwave..... Lets talk to more people!

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Met up with William to share our idea Set a date and location Talked about how we would get the word out and how many we thought would come. Sent out emails and asked contacts to pass them on. Designed a logo and planned the first meeting agenda.organisation, guest speaker, activity

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Yes..30 people! The feedback was 100% positive and all attendees expressed how grateful they were to have contact with others! SUCCESS!! In addition 25 other people said they wanted to be part of the next one

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Network Reception Colleagues Events Newspapers

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Newsletter sent out to everyone reporting about the meeting and offering information about the topics for the future. Focus on profile to introduce a SEN person willing to support others. Next meeting arrangementsdate, time, speakers, topics, locationhost! 76 attendees Twitter, newspapers.

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Access to other schools over 100 across UAE Sharing of professional documents (e.g. IEPs) Working together/problem solving with other professional organisations. Contacts! Confidence restored. Respect from school colleagues and leadership. Job opportunities Improved training offered in school.

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SPARK UAE Twitter Teacher network Facebook What Works/Worked Dubai SENCO network Lend me your literacy Getting involved with projects e.g. Al jalila foundation, Zayed University, DWC (trainee teachers) Set up a subject specific network.

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Future Goals: Central Grant approach contacts that we have eg. Does anyone know someone? Local Guest Speakers eg. Universities, KHDA Specialist Dyslexia Unit Encourage local Emirates to develop their own Networks! Regional Conference for Middle East SENCO Committee to help with growth

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What is holding you back from achieving your goals? Whatever you are comfortable sharing, turn to your partner & share Now find someone who is in a different school/region & discuss

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Rachel.g@srs.ae =Rachel Green learningresource@oics.ae = Lara Alsen william@kidsfirstmc.com = William Coombe Rachel.g@srs.ae learningresource@oics.ae william@kidsfirstmc.com dubaisenco@gmail.com = SENCO dubaisenco@gmail.com