Sharon Jones is helping to improve the lives of students with significant intellectual disabilities at Calamvale Special School.
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With 19 years’ special education teaching experience, she has led staff at the school to implement Intensive Interaction, an evidence-based approach which supports students with significant disabilities to develop their communication abilities by focusing on the important Fundamentals of Communication, such as using and understanding facial expressions, gestures and conversational turn-taking. This allows students who are non-communicative to begin to understand early communication routines and express themselves.

This approach has led students to become more engaged with learning and to develop better relationships with staff and classmates. 

Sharon works with other teachers, teacher aides and support staff to develop their skills in Intensive Interaction so all students can benefit.

Through Sharon’s work Calamvale Special School has seen improvements in students’ communication skills, personal and social capabilities and improved emotional regulation, behaviour and wellbeing.

“Sharon is well respected by fellow teachers and much loved by her students.  Her efforts to help them begin to communicate will have an important and lasting impact on their lives,” Principal Susan Howell said.
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Congratulations Sharon on your QCT Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning Award nomination.