October 2023
We are delighted to award the October 2023 Teaching Assistant of the Month to Roula Gonzi at Kidbrooke Park Primary.
CENMAC’s Specialist Teaching Assistant James Dewar-Hassan has nominated Roula Gonzi as teaching assistant of the month due to her excellent encouragement and commitment in supporting her student Ace using Clicker with his written work.
Kidbrooke Park Primary’s Headteacher said “Roula supports students on a 1:1 basis and is an expert at coaxing work out of the most reluctant writers. She has really boosted Ace’s confidence and is a real asset to our school”.
Roula Gonzi said “It is a pleasure supporting Ace with his work. Using the laptop helps Ace to get his guided reading, English and Science finished on time. He is able to read back his work easily and make any corrections needed. Congratulations on this award Roula!
Roula has really boosted her pupils’ confidence and is a real asset to our school
November 2023
We are delighted to award the November 2023 Teaching Assistant of the Month to Mr Jan Dusek at Reay Primary School, nominated by Deputy Team Leader Mary Long, for his work with one of our CENMAC pupils.
Veronika Andraskova, Inclusion Lead at Reay Primary said “Mr Dusek works above and beyond ensuring the best learning happens for his pupil. No task is too big and he is always looking for innovative ways to support his pupil.
Mary Long said “Mr Dusek is a fantastic support working with his pupil and assisting her use of technology to enhance her vision and access to the curriculum. He is always keen to trial new ways of working. For example, when shown recently how maths worksheets could be accessed directly on the iPad and then the answers written straight on, using the Apple Pencil, he introduced this to his pupil straightaway. Mr Dusek keeps excellent records of the progress made by his students, and especially in this pupils’ case, recording her speed and accuracy in touch-typing, which she practices in school every day.”
Jan works above and beyond ensuring the best learning happens for his pupil
December 2023
We are absolutely delighted to award our December 2023 Teaching Assistant of the Month to CENMAC’s very own Specialist Teaching Assistant, James Dewar-Hassan. James will be leaving us to pursue his Teacher Training at Charlton Park Academy in the new year, but before he leaves us here is what the CENMAC team has to say about James.
“James has been such an effective teaching assistant who is the ideal candidate to be going onto complete his teacher training. James has supported so many of our young people and schools using assistive technology, providing training and support in a lovely nurturing way to ensure staff build confidence in using the hardware and software packages. He has been a valued member of our advisory team, giving helpful insights into the service we provide. I have heard nothing but positive feedback from the team and the many schools he has worked in. We wish him all the very best in his year ahead and next steps as a teacher.” Kathryn Stowell, CENMAC’s Team Leader
“James has been an amazing part of the CENMAC team over the last year. He is extremely proactive in his desire to learn and in getting things done. James has taken a leading role in supporting a group of students at a local primary school, ensuring that the TAs working with the students all received appropriate training, and creating easy-read guides on particular software for students and staff to refer back to. Thank you for all the support with our ever-growing caseload and your can-do attitude.” Mary Long, CENMAC’s Deputy Team Leader
“James has been a brilliant colleague this year and so I am not surprised to hear the many positive comments about him from the CENMAC team and schools he has been working in. James is a very kind, thoughtful, interesting and interested person and these personality traits will also help make him into a brilliant teacher.” Amorel Kennedy, Administrator
“I’d like to express my gratitude and acknowledge the significant impact on the support we provide to young people that James has made. James has been a great asset to the team, and his influence on the two schools he supported with me, The Elms Academy and Lansdowne, has been truly remarkable. Lansdowne, in particular, has undergone a positive transformation over the last couple of years, and James’s dedicated work has played a pivotal role in this turnaround.
James has developed a connection with the students. Whenever I step into either school, the students eagerly inquire, “Where is James?” It’s become a testament to the bond he has formed with them. They express disappointment when they realise it’s only me visiting. It speaks volumes about the impact he has made on their lives. Replacing James won’t be an easy task. He leaves behind large shoes to fill, and whoever steps into his role will undoubtedly face the challenge of maintaining the standard of support and connection he established within the team and the schools he served.” David Howard, Advisory Teacher
“Not only has James supported many students at schools across London, he also spends some time in the CENMAC office and is always ready and willing to help with tasks in the office such as transcribing training recordings to make them accessible on our website and creating useful resources to support other Teaching Assistants. He was also a great help at our annual Communication Works event supporting our student ambassadors and student helpers with the duties we gave them. James will be greatly missed but we hope he will pop up and see us when he starts his Teacher Training at Charlton Park Academy.” Annabel Dent, Marketing & Events Consultant
“James’s friendliness and approachability are evident on meeting him. At the time, I didn’t know about his IT and design skills! I soon discovered these! James is an amazing colleague and asset to any team. He will continue to shine as a teacher as he has done with being a TA.” Jenny Zentner, Advisory Speech and Language Therapist
To learn more about being a Specialist Teaching Assistant at CENMAC:
> Read James’ blog “My year at CENMAC as a Specilist Teaching Assistant
James Dewar-Hassan, CENMAC Specialist Teaching Assistant
> Read James’ blog “My year at CENMAC as a Specilist Teaching Assistant
January 2024
Happy New Year! This month we are looking back and celebrating all the Teaching Assistants who were awarded Teaching Assistant of the Month in 2023. It is so important that our CENMAC students get the support and encouragement they need from hard working and committed TAs who go the extra mile.
A special thank you to:
- Mrs Eleanor Codd, Gordon Primary School – February 2023
- Julia Konieczna, St John’s Catholic Primary – March 2023
- Ms Jamila Douglas, Galleywall Primary City of London Academy – April 2023
- Katie Robertson, Pimlico Academy – May 2023
- Ms Anglea McKenna, Lyndhurst Primary School – June 2023
- Roula Gonzi, Kidbrooke Park Primary – October 2023
- Mr Jan Dusek, Reay Primary School – November 2023
- James Dewar-Hassan, CENMAC December 2023
CENMAC’s Teaching Assistant of the Month Award
February 2024
We are very happy to award the February Teaching Assistant of the Month to Toyin Dosunmu who works on a one-to-one basis with a CENMAC student at Southfields Academy.
Toyin has been working closely with our student who was very demotivated and finding it very difficult to engage with his studies and using his assistive technology.
This year, he has risen to the challenge of his sixth form courses, and this is as a direct result of working very closely with Toyin who is encouraging him to fully engage with his learning. He has turned a corner in terms of his motivation with his studies.
Toyin attended career meetings/workshops with him and is helping him to apply for government apprenticeship in real estate/property management.
Toyin has built an excellent relationship with her student, spurring him onto better engagement with his studies as well as using his CENMAC equipment which he now describes as using for “practically everything”.
Louise Dixson – SEN Lead at Southfields Academy about Toyin: “Oh how wonderful! Toyin really deserves this award. I agree she is amazing with her student.”
Congratulations Toyin!
Toyin, TA at Southfields Academy
March 2024
Congratulations to Tim Jaffier, Teaching Assistant at Haberdashers’ Borough Academy who has been awarded Teaching Assistant of the Month for March.
Tim was nominated by CENMAC’s Deputy Team Leader Mary Long who said “I’m nominating Tim for exquisite organisational skills and overseeing of all the CENMAC students at Haberdashers’ Borough Academy, as well as prompt, clear and thoughtful communication. Also for providing the bridge between CENMAC staff and students’ families and facilitating support meetings at the school with CENMAC staff and parents.”
Susannah Head, SENDCo & Teacher of RS, Haberdashers’ Borough Academy said “Tim joined us in 2022 as a recent career changer coming from the world of banking. He has dived into the world of special educational needs with great commitment and passion. Tim has cultivated meaningful relationships with our students and families and uses the trust he has built as a basis to encourage our young people to develop their independence through the use of assistive technology. These skills help our students develop self-esteem and prepare for adulthood. Tim not only oversees Assistive Technology, but also Social Interaction and Communication Needs including Speech and Language. He therefore supports the communication skills of our students in many different ways, enabling them to engage more profoundly with the world around them!”
Tim, TA at Haberdashers’ Borough Academy
May 2024
We are delighted to award our May 2024 TA of the Month to Jo Brooker a Teaching Assistant at St George’s CoE Primary School.
CENMAC Advisory Teacher Ber Allee said “Working with her, I’ve been consistently impressed by her dedication and effectiveness in supporting pupil J and other learners. Jo’s deep understanding of pupil J’s needs and her proactive approach to implementing assistive technology have a great impact on the work we are trying to achieve.”
Jonathan Wren, Assistant Headteacher (SENCO and DSL) at St George’s CoE Primary School said “Jo is an incredibly energetic, proactive and enthusiastic proponent for how technology can advance the learning opportunities for the child she works with and others at St George’s. Jo takes challenges in her stride, is keen to creatively resolve problems that arrive and is a passionate advocate for the learning of all pupils with SEND.” Congratulations Jo!
Jo, TA at St George’s CoE Primary School
June 2024
We are delighted to award our June 2024 TA of the Month to Safiyyah Umar at Pimlico Future Academies. CENMAC Advisory Teacher Maureen De Longhi nominated Safiyyah in recognition of all the amazing work she has done and the time she spent in supporting her student Ruth to prepare for her inspirational presentation at Communication Works. Safiyyah has also provided Ruth with constant support to enable her access to her CENMAC equipment and tools.
Safiyyah said “Ruth is honestly in a league of her own, she’s made my job easy. She has become so independent over the past few months, and it’s been so lovely to see. CENMAC has played a huge role in promoting and supporting Ruth’s independence so I really can’t thank you enough.” Congratulations Safiyyah!
Safiyyah, a TA at Pimlico Future Academies
July 2024
We are very happy to award our July 2024 TA of the Month to our very own CENMAC Specialist Teaching Assistant Tracy Evans.
Tracy was nominated by fellow TA Lesley Mier who said “Whilst I have been learning this role as a CENMAC Specialist Teaching Assistant, Tracy has been there to support me 100%. I can always rely on her to talk me through things that I am unsure of. She always tries to involve me with school visits and always gives me an opportunity to input into training of school staff and parents. Thank you Tracy.”
Advisory Speech and Language Therapist Jenny Zentner said “Tracy is literally the Oracle when school staff, CENMAC colleagues and parents have an AAC question! She always has time to chat, to listen and to problem solve. Tracy readily shares her skills and knowledge that ultimately impact positively on the students. She is consistently student centered and advocates for them when needed. On joining CENMAC at the beginning of the academic year, I have learnt a great deal from Tracy. Thank you so much Tracy!”
Advisory Speech and Language Therapist Theresa Tanchak said “I have had the pleasure to work with Tracy with many students in Havering over the past school year. Tracy has an ability to communicate effectively with everyone. She always arrives with a smile on her face and a happy greeting for school staff, parents, and students. Although Tracy is responsible for her own daily tasks, she can often be found assisting other coworkers with their tasks. When a student needs additional support, Tracy volunteers to put in extra time to work with them. She is unafraid to ask questions and seek out information on her own. She then passes on the information/strategies to others in a clear and direct way. Her confidence has risen for supporting students and school teams around AAC. Her impact on their understanding and use of AAC is evident. I have learned a lot from her and always enjoy our joint working.”
Congratulations Tracy!
A round of applause from the CENMAC Team.
Tracy, a CENMAC Specialist Teaching Assistant
