The great thing about working in education is that I see pupils grow. I help them to get the best out of themselves. I myself have always had a soft spot for pupils with ‘something’ wrong with them. Who need something extra. For me, the challenge is then to see what that extra something is. That is why I have the care class at the EOA. Many pupils here are on their own. They often have traumas and I like to offer them a safe place here at school. This allows me to lay a foundation with which they can continue in their development.
In recent years, I have specialised in movement-based learning. Through movement, you can give learning an enormous boost. First of all, I specialised in Bal-A-Vis-X. These are exercises with juggling balls and sandbags. This works very well for eye tracking movements, which are relevant to achieve good learning. Furthermore, it appeals to focus and concentration. But also to get from thinking to feeling. Many children with autism or ADHD benefit from this. You can also use it to deal with trauma. It is a kind of physical mindfulness. Bal-A-Vis-X uses three dimensions of learning. These are also reflected in Brain Gym®. That is why I started to study this as well. Meanwhile, I have followed many Brain Gym® courses and I am allowed to give workshops and trainings, in which the 26 Brain Gym® exercises are offered. It is very special to see what these exercises do to the brain. I regularly look for exercises in my lessons, which appeal to movement, so that the learning material sticks better.
that the students feel comfortable. I find that the most important condition for a child to develop optimally. I also think structure and clarity are very important. Every child wants to know where it stands. I don’t want to stand above the pupil, but look at the development possibilities together with the pupil.
Find a buddy with whom you can practice Dutch together. Try to speak and hear as much Dutch as possible. So watch a lot of Dutch TV programmes at home and chat with Dutch children.
Every day is a gift. I enjoy it when I see the smile on a pupil’s face and when they can go home like that. It’s the little things that do it.
Petra Raijmakers
NT2 teacher, transition coach and trainer Expertise Centre Global College Eindhoven