Teacher Chantelle Amson, from Nambour Special School, has been instrumental in innovating and leading new programs within the school for both students and teachers.

She is responsible for the development and implementation of the school’s Positive Behaviour for Learning, Team Teach and Maintaining Your MOJO Frameworks.

Chantelle's colleagues say she shines in empowering staff to have the skills, ability and self-belief to work in challenging situations.
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“She is always supportive. She is self-effacing and takes a leading role as an Intermediate Tutor of Team Teach and as a Positive Behaviours for Learning (PBL) Coach. As a PBL Coach Chantelle implements professional development for staff, chairs the PBL committee meetings and collates and analyses related data,” a colleague said.

Principal, Richard Fisher, said Chantelle leads teaching and learning across the school from Prep to Year 12. He said she has also led the development of the school’s music program, which aligns with the Australian Curriculum requirements and has been designed to meet the needs of students with severe and multiple disabilities.

The music programs cater to 150 students, ranging in age from 5 to 18 years. All students have an intellectual impairment, and many have additional impairments, including vision, hearing and physical impairments, Autism Spectrum Disorder and as well as students experiencing the effects of trauma. Chantelle has tailored the lessons to engage all students.

She is an intermediate tutor for Team Teach, an overarching framework implemented at Nambour Special School. She supports staff to create and use effective behaviour plans and provides in-class support ensuring a safe and supportive environment. As part of this program Chantelle leads annual training for 90 staff members to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to manage complex situations as they arise.

“Team Teach provides positive strategies for responding to, and managing, challenging behaviours and has resulted in a consistent approach to supporting students to self-manage their behaviour and [this has led to] improvements in student behaviour across the school,” Chantelle's colleague said.

As one of six staff members, Chantelle liaised with external agencies to develop a staff wellbeing framework at Nambour Special School called Maintaining Your MOJO Framework, and now leads personal development sessions.

“In 2017 Nambour Special School’s school opinion survey reflected this positive culture with 100 per cent of staff reflecting that they felt supported at the school. In addition, 100 per cent of staff felt that staff morale was high at the school,” Richard said.

He said Chantelle has recently progressed into leadership positions as a willing learner and is driven by her own high expectations for students.

“Chantelle understands the importance of staff capacity building for high-quality curriculum delivery, for? the development of a safe and supportive environment and for positive staff wellbeing across the school,” Richard said.
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Congratulations Chantelle on your QCT Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning Award nomination.