November 2009 Vol. 1, Issue 10 (PDF - 16.2Mb) - Department of ...

42 Nov 09
School Services Officers
The helping hand
in the classroom
They face unique challenges and find reward in small, but significant, student accomplishments.
School services officer and integration aide Rhonda Lewien speaks to Shine’s Karen Casey about
her role in the classroom.
Tell us about what being an
SSO involves.
My role as a school services officer (SSO)
and integration aide at Bairnsdale Secondary
College is one of support for the classroom.
I assist all students – not only the integration
students. I also assist the teacher in modifying
curriculum for the integration students.
Working in all areas, especially the technology
classes, involves being vigilant with regards
to safety – particularly when the students are
using machinery or scientific equipment like
Bunsen burners and chemicals.
Support for the integration students involves
making sure they understand the directions of
the teacher, and providing emotional support
and physical support. It may also be assisting
them with choosing subjects or getting work
experience and aiding them in their work
experience situations.
Emotional support involves being a
good listener and helping students access
counselling, speech pathology, literacy
and numeracy intervention programs and
other services. Physical support can consist
of toileting, feeding, lifting in and out of
wheelchairs and so on.
How does your job differ to a
mainstream teaching role?
My job is of support only and I am not
responsible for discipline in the classroom or
for the curriculum. We do not have to write
reports, but we can assist the teacher with
this. We can also work in other areas of the
school, such as the general office, when asked
by the principal.
Why did you choose this career?
I have been working as an SSO and
integration aide for about 15 years and chose
School Services Officer Rhonda Lewien
from Bairnsdale Secondary College
helps a student pronounce difficult
words in a textbook.