Learning 'with, from and about': an interprofessional community of practice approach to teacher of the deaf education
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Introduction When professionals from different areas learn ‘with, from and about’ each other interprofessionally, they develop a shared understanding of their different areas, which facilitates their practicing together. Inter-professional learning facilitates inter-professional practice, which is key to creating collaborative communities for integrated education practices. This presentation outlines a national specialist teacher post-graduate program funded partly by the Ministry of Education as part of their vision of a fully inclusive education system and includes seven areas of specialization: Deaf; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Blind and Low Vision; Complex Educational Needs; Early Intervention; Gifted and Talented; and Learning and Behaviour. Purpose This presentation outlines a particular approach used for educating specialist teachers of the deaf – whereby they learn alongside other professionals within an interprofessional Community of Practice. Method There is no one right way when it comes to professional learning and development. This presentation provides data from this inter-professional approach to Deaf Education that aims to facilitate the development of professional identities through integrating both specialist and interprofessional learning. Results Results from the first two graduating cohorts of this program indicate that when teachers and other professionals work in inter-professional ways, they feel increasingly competent and the outcomes for all learners are more positive. Conclusion Examining the inter-professional collaborative approach may lead to a change in thinking about what effective teacher of the deaf education looks like in the 21st century.