What do you like most about the job?
It is wonderful to see the students’ enjoyment of sport and physical activity. I think it’s great that we give students with disabilities the opportunity to represent their school in competitive sports.
What was the most unexpected thing you had to do in your job?
The variety of duties associated with this role is amazing and is the reason why it is so much fun.
Saturday is International Day of People with Disabilities – what does that mean to you and what does it mean for the students you work with?
It is an excellent way to raise awareness of students with disabilities in our education system. It helps emphasize the importance of inclusion, and our programs help teachers achieve this through adaptive and modified activities tailored to the needs of each individual.
How transferrable are your skills?
The role is ultimately that of a teacher – plan, prepare, deliver and modify to meet student needs. The skills I gained in this role would be transferrable to numerous positions in the workforce, from events management, sports coordination, coaching, NDIS and the disability sector to advertising, consultancy, education, sales and media.
Did you have another job before you worked for the Ministry of Education?
I started my career as a gardener in wholesale nurseries before running my own gardening business. In these roles I learned the importance of organization, budgeting, advertising, positive relationships and people management, skills that I use on a daily basis.
What experience do you need to get into this field?
It’s such a rewarding career and there are many pathways in and around this field of work. My specific role requires a teaching degree, passion for sports and a keen interest in supporting students with disabilities. There are many jobs that offer similar roles and support people with disabilities through sports. These can be as Personal Advisors/NDIS Advisors, Sports Suppliers or Event Managers.
What personal skills do people need?
A hands-on role, strong organizational skills and a proactive approach to tasks are a must. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are required due to the quantity and variety of people you will deal with on a daily basis. Empathy and passion to improve and increase the quality and quantity of opportunities for students with disabilities.
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