Visiting teacher is for the child

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 8, Issue 374, 19 February 1991, Page 5

Visiting teacher is for the child

A person who is a trained teacher so knows the education system, but is independent of schools is the 'visiting teacher'. Fe is availabb to parents for help with problems their child may have with a school. The Ruapehu-Taihape has a new person to fill that role, Neil Pedley. His main responsibility is as an advocate for the child in the education system. Mr Pedley is based at Ruapehu College and has the job of providing a communication link among home and school and any others, including Social Welfare or youth aid, who support learners in the education system. "My main role is as advocate for the child, working independent of school," said Mr Pedley. He said he is there for parents to approach if their child has problems with their education. "Parents cari approach me directly about their child's education and feel safe about it, they don't have to go through the school," he said. "I'm independent of indi-

vidual schools". His role is to liaise between home and school with the focus on the child, and to interpret the school to the community at large. "The problem could be emotional, social or academic." He said he can work outside school hours on particular problems depending on parent's situations, for example he can work to fit in with working solo parents. He works for the Special Education Service (SES) team in association with the local REAP office and is directly responsible to the district manager of SES.. The SES was set up as part of Tomorrow's Schools to provide specialist advice and support for teachers and parents. Mr Pedley takes up the position after a year as a visiting teacher in the Falkland Islands. He was trained at Palmerston North Teachers' College and has a degree in education and diplomas in teaching. He has been principal of a number of small schools and taught in the Solomon Islands for two years.