Have you considered training to become an inclusive/special education teacher? If so, this episode is a must-listen. 

Join us on the couch this week with Mel, a trained primary and inclusive/special education teacher as she shares her experience working with students with additional learning needs. Mel reflects on her early career, where she had the opportunity to teach in a school for specific purposes (SSP) and quickly realised that it was the school context she aspired to work in. 

In this episode, you will gain insight into what a typical day in the life of an inclusive/special educator looks like within an SSP and the strategies Mel uses to identify and support her students’ diverse learning needs. 

Mel highlights the exciting technologies and resources available at her school including sensory equipment, tactile materials and communication tools such as EyeGaze for non-verbal students. Mel also emphasises the strong sense of community she has gained throughout her career as a teacher and the rewarding nature of providing a quality education to every student. 

We explore the key skills required for success in an SSP setting and Mel offers advice for teachers interested in retraining in inclusive/special education (HINT: You can never go wrong with a costume box). We also discuss opportunities to enhance your career with the NSW Department of Education.

Tune in to discover how inclusive/special education could be the next rewarding chapter in your teaching journey.

We hope you enjoy this episode.

We acknowledge that this episode of the Teach NSW Podcast was recorded on the homelands of the Darug people. We pay respect to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples listening to the Teach NSW Podcast today.

Connect with us

If you would like to provide feedback or suggestions for future episodes, please contact teachcast@det.nsw.edu.au to get in touch with the Teach NSW Podcast team. Follow the Teach NSW team on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter) and YouTube to be the first to know when new episodes are released.

Resources and useful links

• Teach NSW - become a teacher in a NSW public school and find out how a career in teaching can open doors for you.


• Enhance your career - register your interest to receive information on program opportunities available to enhance your career with the NSW Department of Education.