Aidan Miller is a primary teacher in Clackmannanshire, Scotland, who specialises in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) provision.
He recently won the University of Glasgow’s William Boyd Prize in Education for distinction in an MEd degree - his was in inclusive education - and is now working on a doctorate at the University of Strathclyde, looking at teachers’ attitudes to autistic learners and how staff build knowledge and skills to support such pupils in mainstream classrooms.
He explains why he loves working with additional support needs (ASN) pupils and why every teacher should have some experience in the ASN sector.
1. What I wish I’d known when I started teaching is…
Teaching is so diverse - there are many roles within schools. When I first started my teaching journey, I wasn’t aware of all the opportunities within the ASN sector. I don’t regret my decision to move away from mainstream into ASN but I feel that university did not really prepare me for the variety of different types of schools outside the mainstream environment.
2. The most important qualities a teacher needs are…
To be able to connect to individual pupils and build positive relationships with them. Teachers play a massive role in the lives of children and young people, and just showing that you are interested in them, and what they have to say and do, will speak volumes to the children. Especially post-Covid, children and young people are just looking for a bit of stability. This is something that teachers can bring to their lives - being there for children and offering a listening ear will go a long way.
3. The most important lessons I’ve learned from doing this job are…
Children and young people really value what you have to offer as a teacher. Sometimes our learners have such complex lives, which they are trying to make sense of. You, as a teacher, might be the only stable relationship that they have. I find it so important to develop relationships with all pupils in my class.
4. The best change I ever made in my practice was…
Continuing my studies at university and undertaking a master’s in inclusive education, which I started at the University of Strathclyde before moving to the University of Glasgow. Although it was challenging to juggle a full-time job and part-time study, it really helped me to engage in the literature and evaluate my own teaching practice. I am now undertaking my doctorate. It’s great to have the time and space to step back from the classroom and think, and to evaluate my own practice.
5. If I could change something about Scottish education it would be…
I think that all initial teacher education (ITE) students should have an experience of working within the ASN sector, or at least get the opportunity to experience it. Awareness of the range of students who are not accessing mainstream education - and of the strategies used in the ASN sector - can be very beneficial in the mainstream classroom. Working in the ASN sector isn’t going to be for everyone but having an understanding of the role that ASN teachers have in mainstream schools, I think, will make a difference to teachers’ attitudes.
6. My most memorable moment as a teacher was…
This is a difficult one - I can think of so many. This year, I have had a primary 1-2 class and, although it has been challenging, I have really enjoyed seeing the progress that the P1s have made since August. These learners have not had the “normal” nursery experience because of the Covid pandemic, but they have shown such resilience with transitioning into primary school. I am super-proud of their achievements.
Another memorable moment was during a school residential week, watching a pupil overcome his fear of heights by going on a Jacob’s ladder activity. Watching (from the bottom - I have a fear of heights as well and there was no way I was going up there!) made me so proud. The sense of achievement that he had was remarkable - I will always remember the look on his face after he realised what he had done.
7. The worst mistake I ever made was…
Telling the class that “Christmas is finished” when tidying up a Christmas art activity. Some of my class were devastated - tears streaming down faces, screaming because they hadn’t received their presents from Santa and here was Mr Miller telling them that it was all over for another year. What I meant to say was “Christmas art is finished”. After what felt like hours of reassuring them that Mr Miller made a mistake and Christmas was still coming, we found it funny.
8. My top tip for aspiring teachers is…
Get as much experience working with children and young people as you can - even outside the traditional classroom experience. Teaching isn’t for everyone and that’s OK. It is a really demanding yet rewarding job and it’s good to make sure you’re 100 per cent committed to the career.
9. When dealing with challenging pupils, my go-to strategy is…
Remain calm! Working with ASD pupils can mean that we have challenging times, but remaining calm throughout these really helps the child or young person who is having a challenging moment. I believe that all behaviour is communication, and these pupils are asking or needing help and support from someone else in these situations - they need us.
10. The best CPD I ever did was…
Oh, that is a tough question - I have been on some really interesting courses over the past few years. During lockdown, I decided to undertake my Makaton level 1-4 training online with an amazing Makaton tutor. Makaton is a language programme that uses symbols, signs and speech to enable people to communicate. The ability to communicate our wants and needs is so important - and most of us take it for granted.
I have worked with several learners who are at a pre-verbal stage of communication and find it difficult to express themselves. I decided that I needed to develop my own understanding of how to support communication and so decided to complete my Makaton training. After developing my core vocabulary skills, I also undertook Makaton with singing training, which I now use on a daily basis in the classroom.
Aidan Miller shared his answers with Tes Scotland reporter Emma Seith
