Hania Felt

I am a mother to four children, two girls aged 17 and 15 and boy/girl twins aged 10. Before children, I was a class teacher working with children aged 9-11 years. My first job was in a primary school teaching a mixed Year 5/6 class.  I then taught in an independent school in the preparatory department, preparing pupils for their Common Entrance Exams, whilst continuing to follow the Froebelian philosophy of learning through play, nature and the outdoors.  In 2000, I moved to Cameron House School in Chelsea, where I spent 20 very happy and fulfilling years. I began as the Class 5 teacher and then moved into the SEN department, where I haven't looked back! I have spent the last 15 years teaching a range of children from Year 1 to Year 6 who struggle in all areas of literacy and maths. I have experience with teaching children with a range of learning difficulties, but specifically dyslexia and dyscalculia. I teach children on a one to one basis, following structured, cumulative and multisensory schemes based on many years of training.

My training in dyscalculia began in 2009 with an intensive hands on, practical course based on the work of Dorian Yeo and led by Jane Emerson and Ronit Bird. Here I learnt about multi sensory methods in teaching mathematics, with particular focus on the use of the Cuisenaire Rods. This course has formed the foundation of all my teaching and I apply the methods and philosophy all these years on. To assess my children, I use a range of screening materials including 'The Dyscalculia Assessment' by Jane Emerson, the Dynamo Maths Profiler and DANS, the diagnostic assessment recently created by Sarah Wedderburn of Unicorn Maths.

I have trained in the Unicorn Maths methodology and attended courses led by Sarah Wedderburn. The core principle of teaching maths concepts through fun games in a structured, cumulative way is a method I retain in all my teaching. I use the Dynamo Maths Program and have implemented its use within the classroom to provide intervention for pupils with gaps in their mathematical knowledge. I have trained staff and raised awareness of dyscalculia through INSET training.

My training also includes Learning Works 'Overcoming Barriers to Mathematics' run by the late Fil Came, with lecturers Alison Shorrock, Sarah Wedderburn and Stefanie Burke. I have also attended the Learning Works 9th and 6th National Conference on Dyscalculia and Maths Learning difficulties.

I would love to be able to contribute my skills and expertise to the Dyscalculia Network, where I can be part of a community that is as passionate as I am. From first hand experience, I have witnessed children's capabilities and confidence in maths transform through simply employing different methods to the conventional ones often used.  I take time to fully assess each child in order to develop a detailed and accurate map of concepts that are secure and those that need to be further developed. I write bespoke Individual Maths Plans to target any areas of difficulty and work very closely with parents to ensure maximum progress and continuity.