An Interview with Susana Cortez

Susana Cortez – NASENCO

Susana Cortez is a SEND Specialist lecturer, she has worked with non-verbal students and has a special interest in autism, she is also very keen to develop her skills as a SENCO. Susana currently works in the Inclusive Leadership Department at West London College.

She completed the National Award for SEN Coordination course with us in 2021.

What made you choose the Real Training course over other options?

I was recommended through Google, it was a great option because it was online. I could work it around my own routine and complete the course on my own time.
 

What was your experience of learning with Real Training? 

The course was fantastic and extremely informative. My tutor was amazing and always supported me with constructive feedback. The course helped me understand areas I wasn’t so comfortable with, such as funding and leadership. The online library is spectacular, and the resources are very appropriate. Everything is well organised between each strand. The course met my expectations, and I would definitely enrol on another course.
 

How has the course helped make an impact at school? 

This course gave me the support to reflect on our LSA support and identify improvements by creating action plans and new CPD using LSAs’ views and perspectives. Our CPD week is now also based on LSAs’ views, covering a range of different topics to make staff more confident.
 

How has the course helped develop you as an educational professional and what do you hope to achieve with the new knowledge/skills in the future?

This course helped me develop my leadership skills, which will help me advance in my career and seek jobs in management and SEND coordination. It gave me better skills, particularly when working with teaching assistants, and I now feel more confident in this area, understanding the significant impact of working well with all staff around our students.
 

Lastly, what are the top 3 things you are looking to do within your setting, since completing the course?

1. CPD – Levels of support – LSAs
2. Visual impairment resources and strategies  
3. Teachers CPD – How to make an effective use of our LSAs