Feature the Teacher – Tracey

Feature the Teacher – Tracey thumbnail.

Name of school and grade you teach, or role you hold in the school?

Farnborough State School

What does inclusion mean to you?

Inclusion means all students learning together in an environment that supports each child’s individual needs. Diversity should be celebrated and seen as an asset in the classroom and the playground.

What has the student with Down syndrome taught you?

Violet has taught me that anything is possible if you think outside the box. She has taught me that hurdles can be overcome with the right support at the right time. She has taught me to find humour in everyday, mundane moments. Laughter really is the best medicine.

What is something surprising or interesting you’ve discovered about teaching a student with Down syndrome?  

It was a lot easier than I expected to create a safe, engaging learning environment for Violet. I was also thrilled by the way other students interacted with her both in the classroom and in the playground. They played with her in the same way they play with other peers and seemed to have an innate understanding that sometimes they needed to be a bit more patient or helpful.

What is one thing you hope will continue for your student with Down syndrome in their schooling life? 

I hope that she continues to love learning and enjoy wonderful friendships with her peers.



And now, we have some special words from Shalee, Violet’s mom!

Describe what you have appreciated about your child’s teacher this year?

Tracey has provided Violet with a learning environment in which she feels safe and supported. This occurs in many ways – setting positive expectations for Violet and her peers, understanding how Violet’s disability can impact her learning, recognising her need for breaks, the use of differentiation, multimodal methods of teaching etc etc

Tracey understands that image and socially valued roles are important and has made sure Violet participates with the rest of the class, accommodates her doing this and is creative in ensuring her inclusion.

What has it meant to you and your child to have your child included at school?

Seeing Violet genuinely valued by her classmates and teacher has been a wonderful experience. Having an educator with high expectations and who wants to ensure Violet can access the learning and support she needs has been so beneficial for my own mental health, as I’ve also felt supported and not as though my high expectations are asking too much.

Have there been any memorable moments from this year at school that you wish to share?

Violet participated in the school’s talent competition and received a highly commended award. When she returned to her classroom after the show, she received a rockstar welcome, her classmates rushing to embrace and congratulate her, keen to take a class photo to celebrate her achievement. I get a lump in my throat writing about it. It was an amazing moment full of joy that is nurtured daily by Tracey as she models the way that the children should treat and value each other.

I see these moments play out all the time, with little friends rushing to tell me if Violet has completed a tricky task, has done a good deed, swam well in swimming etc etc. They take enormous pride in her achievements.

I could never have imagined the care and friendship her classmates have shown toward her and we are so grateful.

What is one thing you hope that will continue for your child with Down syndrome in their schooling life?

That her inclusion will be authentic – both socially and academically – so she will be happy at school and continue to learn and grow in ways that aren’t always obvious, but that are valuable for every human in their education and life.

Is there anything else you wish to commend or say to your child’s teacher?

Tracey, honestly – thank you for everything.

For daily monitoring of water bottles and lunch boxes, hats and jumpers, pencils and books.

For jollying Violet along when at times I’m sure you’d rather push her to do things.

For sharing the highlights with me and downplaying the low points.

For understanding that progress is as valuable as perfection.

For modelling to your students how valuable everyone is as an individual.

For the face wipes, shoes on feet, tidy hair, relaxing in your chair.

For all those little things that are big things in a little person’s day.

And above all, for genuinely caring for Violet and all of your students, and showing through your words and actions that you believe Violet is as worthy of a mainstream education as every other student in your class. You’re fabulous.