Inspiration in Education nominee – Dawn McGeoghan

Inspiration in Education nominee – Dawn McGeoghan

As the mum of three children with autism, Dawn McGeoghan is perfectly placed to understand the needs of pupils and parents at the special school where she works as a teaching assistant.

The 49-year-old, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, has been working at Kaleidoscope, in Porthill, since it opened its doors two years ago.

She fits in her working hours around a busy home life and the school hours of her own children, who attend two different special schools in the county.

Dawn has been nominated as an Inspiration in Education in the Your Heroes Awards by a parent of one of her pupils, who has called her ‘a God-sent angel’.

Thabarase Mohamed Yusoof said: “Dawn is an amazing teaching assistant and a lovable person. She helps children who have complex needs and are non-verbal. She loves them more.

She deals with children who have challenging behaviour but still she never forgets to smile. My child is blessed to have a great teaching assistant. . Dawn is really a God-sent angel for me.”

Dawn said: “As a parent of three autistic children myself I am very aware of the whole situation surrounding special needs. Being at work is just an extension of my home life.

“I’m very humbled to have been nominated for a Your Heroes Award because for me I’m literally doing my job. It’s special that this has come from the parent of one of the children I work with.”

Dawn added that this is her first role as a teaching assistant after being suggested for the post by a former teacher of one of her children, who is now the head at Kaleidoscope.