Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Referees
Timeline
Generic

Margaret De Souza

Summary

Proven empathetic innovator with extensive experience in special education and disability support, notably with NSW Department of Education. Excelled in creating specialized instruction and fostering supportive environments, achieving significant improvements in student engagement and skill generalization. Skilled in crisis management and differentiated learning, demonstrating resilience and creative problem-solving to meet individual needs. Successfully pivoted my career to continue my passion for working with children requiring additional support.

Overview

13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Bates Drive School

NSW Department Of Education
  • Developed specialised classroom instruction to students with developmental disorders/autism and intellectual disability.
  • Co-developed with medical and therapy professionals and parents/carers individualised behaviour support plans.
  • Co-developed and implemented health care plans.
  • Administration of medication as per Health Care Plans and protocol.
  • Develop IEP outcomes and indicators and complete related documentation. Planned and supervised community based experiences for students to practice skill generalisation: excursions, integration to Gymea Primary School, community access to Kareela shopping centre to purchase items for food technology class,, community access programs _ gym at Loftus TAFE, travel training program catching train to Westfield shopping centre to engage in work experience cleaning tables at the food court.
  • Offered students personalised educational, behavioural and emotional support. Maintain a focused, inclusive and supportive learning environment.
  • Use of augmented communication devices,communication boards, Makaton signing,PECS to facilitate student engagement.
  • Complete documentation on student behaviour and intervention.
  • Provide assistance with personal care, dressing, toileting, mealtime management and other activities of daily living.
  • Create and distribute instructional material for group and individual use.
  • Able to observe, intervene and diffuse escalating at-risk challenging behaviour as per plans.
  • Participate in professional development and training to acquire and maintain skills.
  • Active participant in staff meetings.
  • Ability to be positive, enthusiastic and energetic.

School Learning Support Officer

NSW Ambulance
07.2023 - Current
  • work collaboratively with staff and families to support students with specific learning needs, inclusive of ASD, intellectual and behaviour upport.
  • attend collaborative planning and feedback meetings with staff.
  • support identified students at key points of transition to attend all activities at the school.
  • undertake a wide variety of tasks associated with classroom learning experiences (e.g. providing assistance to teachers in preparation, implementation and supervision of students through the delivery of learning programs).
  • confer with teachers for all matters relating to students under my care, whilst drawing upon prior knowledge and accumulated skills.
  • complete general administrative tasks.
  • demonstrate duty of care to students in relation to their physical and mental wellbeing.
  • maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times.

Teacher: Special Education

NSW Department Of Education
  • Develop specialised classroom instruction for students with severe physical and intellectual disability.
  • Co-developed with health professionals, and implemented health care plans for individual students.
  • Develop IEP outcomes and indicators, and completed related documentation.
  • Planned and supervised community based experiences for students to practise skills generalisation: excursions, integrations to Marist Brother High at Kogarah, work experience : gardening at the community centre Carlton, Darrell lea factory at Blakehurst.
  • Develop strong relationships with students, families and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
  • Maintain clear and available lines of communication through the use of communication books and collection of data, collation of formal reports for medical and educational use and maintenance of free and open communication.
  • Provide assistance with personal care.
  • Use and maintenance of
  • Enhanced classroom engagement through the use of interactive teaching methods, such as group projects and hands-on activities. mobility and classroom equipment.
  • Active participant in staff meetings.

Disability Support Worker

Civic Industries. Sydney
03.2017 - 07.2023


  • Liaise with the supervisor to review cases and improve care.
  • Developed strong interpersonal relationships with clients, earning their trust and respect through consistent empathy and understanding.
  • Improve resident and staff engagement through group activities: attending BBQs and picnics, going bowling, going to the movies, going out to dinner.
  • Administer medication according to strict schedules and protocols.
  • Complete administrative paperwork in a timely and proficient manner.
  • Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of professionals as well as clients to determine appropriate care options.
  • Lifted, moved and assisted clients using a variety of equipment including K-walker , motorise and nonmotorised wheelchairs and hoists.
  • use computers to complete administration: record data, incident management and record behaviour incidents.

Child Care Support Worker

Zest Care
02.2011 - 07.2015
  • Maintain the safety of child/ren in care with diligent monitoring of individuals and families.
  • Improved long term outcomes by modelling positive behaviours, attitudes and life choices for children and families. Guidance to positive parenting strategies and the importance of maintaining routine especially around mealtimes and bedtime.
  • Support physical,emotional and cultural needs of at-risk children and youth by engaging them in leisure and family directed activities for example playing in a park, going to the beach or visiting shopping centres.
  • inform families either in house or on site to provide information on agency services, requirements and procedures.
  • Adhere to guidelines of care provision to ensure personal safety, and that of the children and their family.
  • Reliable and punctual to ensure continuity of program delivery.

Education

MA in Educational Studies: Special Education - Special Education

University of Newcastle
Renwick College, North Rocks

Graduate Diploma Special Education - Early Intervention

University of Sydney
MacDonaldtown, Sydney

Diploma of Teaching - Education

Kuring-Gai CAE
Sydney, NSW

Skills

  • Leadership in crisis situations
  • Differentiation to meet the needs of individual students
  • Lateral and creative thinker
  • Empathetic
  • Resilient

Certification

  • Current Working with Children check

Margaret Helen De Souza

Check Number: WWC1013397E

EXP> 13 August 2026

Type of clearance: Employee

  • All mandatory training as required by the Dept. of Education is current and complete.
  • Employee Number: 8560039

Referees

East Hills Primary School

Principal: Ms Donna Casey

Phone: 9773 8468

Mobile: 0421 607 071


Wentworth Point Public School ( commenced Term 2.2024)

Former Deputy Principal: East Hills Primary School

Mr Daniel Hall

Phone: 9748 6260

Mobile: 0430 113 505


East Hills Primary School

Assistant Principal: Ms Emily Edwards

Mobile: 0434 049 714

Commencing maternity leave shortly.


East Hills Primary School

Assistant Principal, Support Unit/ Class Teacher

East Hills Primary School

Mobile: 0404 210 956





Timeline

School Learning Support Officer

NSW Ambulance
07.2023 - Current

Disability Support Worker

Civic Industries. Sydney
03.2017 - 07.2023

Child Care Support Worker

Zest Care
02.2011 - 07.2015

Bates Drive School

NSW Department Of Education

Teacher: Special Education

NSW Department Of Education

MA in Educational Studies: Special Education - Special Education

University of Newcastle

Graduate Diploma Special Education - Early Intervention

University of Sydney

Diploma of Teaching - Education

Kuring-Gai CAE

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Margaret De Souza