Testimonials

+ Richie, DHH student

You went out of your way to ensure that all students were getting the same opportunities in the classroom. You made us feel nurtured and loved as people, a quality that only a few special teachers can exhibit. I am eternally grateful to my mentors just like you; it is purely due to the quality and dedication of support that I had been extremely lucky to be the recipient of that has enabled me to thrive both within and outside of school.

+ Kerry, classroom teacher of DHH students

As a classroom teacher, I worked closely with Christie as she supported various Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students in my class over the years.

Christie helped me to understand that DHH students require specialised equipment that needs to be utilised correctly by the teachers, to ensure that students can access the curriculum and maximise their learning opportunities. Christie’s expertise in this area was exemplary- educating staff and advocating for her students in a firm but personable manner.

Christie also plans and facilitates one on one sessions with DHH students where she focuses on their individual goals- language and/or social, dependent on need.

Christie worked in the classroom supporting individual DHH students as well as working with groups so that our DHH students were fully included in our day to day learning. Her support was always indispensable, as in many cases, without Christie, that student would have found group tasks extremely challenging.

Christie always puts the well-being of her students first and foremost, and supports them to self-advocate. This is vital for our students as they deserve to have their needs met. Self-advocacy empowers them and I saw the way students grew in confidence, both with their equipment and socially, due to her guidance.

Christie is an amazing person to work with and her joyful manner immediately builds rapport with students and teachers. Her absolute dedication to her role means that DHH students receive the very best intervention and support.

+ Anny, Principal

The expertise that Teachers of the Deaf have in language intervention, targeted learning support, pragmatic social skills training and the currency of their knowledge and use of assistive technologies means Deaf and Hard of Hearing students:

• can troubleshoot and manage their equipment
• develop and sustain peer and friendship groups
• identify strongly as members of the school community and achieve

As a Teacher of the Deaf, Christie Walsh has worked with students from five years old to young adolescents, including a young transgender student she supported through transition. Christie knows highly effective learning and teaching is about the development of the whole person: socially, emotionally and physically as well as academically. She understands everyone learns differently and targets her programs to meet individual needs. Her goals are those all educators: strong, confident and curious learners who know who they are and aspire to who they might be. Christie advocates for her students and does not define them by being Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

Christie maintains professional relationships with both staff and parents. Christie collaborates with teaching teams, aligning her student’s support in all areas including the introduction of specific concepts and vocabulary related to classroom content, so her students can access the learning and participate fully. At a whole school level, Christie has built staff capability through the delivery of professional learning on:

• the classroom experience for a Deaf and Hard of Hearing student
• language intervention
• the use of assistive technologies
• writing Individual Education Plans (IEPs) with effective and measurable goals
• the agreed school wide process for regular writing and review of IEPs
• participating in and leading Student Support Group meetings

Working in this specialised area builds empathy not only for the students, also the parents. Christie welcomes parents and builds their sense of belonging.

Christie is an expert and skilled professional educator qualified to work with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She has strong interpersonal skills and is a good communicator both orally and in writing. She has a proven track record working with a range of Deaf and Hard of Hearing students from those starting school to young people with complex issues. She has extensive school experience, knows and understands the work of classroom teachers and the importance of establishing strong partnerships with parents to achieve the best outcomes for her students.

+ Belinda, classroom teacher of DHH students

Christie is an exceptional Teacher of the Deaf. She prides herself on being highly organised, an excellent communicator and understanding the individual needs of her students. She develops strong connections with both students and teachers alike, working closely with all stakeholders to ensure the best outcomes for her students. Christie employs a variety of different approaches to support and guide her students, with appreciation for their individual strengths and areas for improvement. When working with Christie in the classroom, she is incredibly capable and adaptable when situations arose. She is sincerely empathetic and kind in all her interactions and I cannot recommend her highly enough.