It is our philosophy that once you have learn something important and relevant, you share the new knowledge with your colleagues. It builds up professional confidence, at the same time colleagues improve their skills and knowledge.
The outcome of the teachers' training program of 2006 was the organization of the Special Educators' Club for the special education teachers and other professionals who work with the children with special educational needs. The primary aim of the Club is to provide its members with professional support in order the education of the children with special needs is organized more efficiently.
The Club took the following first steps in 2006:
- Each member produced an informational poster of her specialized school.
- The members designed the logo of the Club and produced the Club informational leaflet.
- The Club members have organized teachers’ training conferences and the workshops became an ongoing part of the club work since he beginning.
- The Club members organized common activities for the children with special needs and their peers.
Since the first steps the Club members have been active with the regular monthly meetings, during which many topics and relevant cases were discussed as well as special teaching material was developed, including educational games, adapted teaching worksheets, etc. The Club members also held informational visits to Yerevan and regional special and integration schools since 2009 and took part in some education fairs and exhibitions. A number of practical trainings and workshops were organized for the Club members with our local and foreign colleagues.
With an effort of DAA and the Special Educators’ Club members a manual on ADHD was published in 2011 in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Science of Armenia.
The long-term goal of the Club is to become the Association of Special Educators in Armenia. We hope to cooperate with different local and international organizations for the help in its development.