Teacher with down syndrome celebrates 20 years at school
Parents of people with down syndrome can experience anxiety about their child's future, including their employment opportunities. But one woman with down syndrome on the Sunshine Coast has just celebrated 20 years in her job as a teacher aide and her employer says she's an integral part of the school.
Transcript
00:00 At Bedina State School on the Sunshine Coast, Alyssa Flannery is one of the most loved members
00:07 of staff. She's also one of the longest serving, recently marking a big milestone.
00:14 I've been here for 20 years, which is a big achievement for me.
00:19 The 40-year-old has Down's Syndrome. Her mum worried it'd be a barrier to employment until
00:25 she began volunteering at her old primary school.
00:29 She had a reason to get up and have a shower and get organised and get out the door. And
00:35 it also gave her a lot of confidence.
00:38 Miss Alyssa, as she's known to her prep students, is now a paid teacher's aide.
00:44 Well, watching the preps being little is really so cute, working with them and they're growing
00:51 up so much.
00:52 When I get hurt, she gets ice packs for me.
00:57 She's like their big sister as such, a really positive role model.
01:01 She's also the little sister of former student and Queensland State of Origin star, Chris
01:06 Flannery.
01:08 Outside of work, Lyss is also kicking personal goals, recently moving out of home for the
01:13 first time and into independent living.
01:17 Having Lyss in the office where parents come in, if they've got a child with a disability,
01:23 they can see what they can achieve, which we think's pretty special.
01:30 See you at preppies.
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