Sibonakaliso Yolande Buthelezi
EKURHULENI
Summary
Experienced Senior Education Specialist with expertise in education policy, curriculum development, and climate change adaptation. Skilled in stakeholder engagement, capacity building, research, and monitoring and evaluation to support inclusive and resilient education systems. Adept at developing policy briefs, training programs, and advocacy materials while promoting gender equality, social inclusion, and child protection in education.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Education Specialist
Gauteng Department of Education
Alberton
03.2023 - Current
- Educational Support & Inclusion: Provide both direct and indirect educational support to Special Care Centers and Special Schools, ensuring learners with diverse needs receive quality, inclusive education tailored to their developmental requirements.
- Learner-Centered Interventions: Develop and implement specialized learning strategies to enhance accessibility and engagement for learners with special educational needs, fostering an environment that promotes academic and personal growth.
- Caregiver and Parent Empowerment: Conduct workshops, training sessions, and one-on-one consultations to equip caregivers and parents with the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to support the learning and well-being of children with special needs.
- Teacher and Staff Development: Lead professional development initiatives for educators and caregivers, including training on specialized instructional methodologies, behavior management, and differentiated learning techniques to improve learning outcomes.
- Curriculum Implementation & Adaptation: Collaborate with other specialist in a transversal team to implement the learning programme for learners with profound intellectual disabilities , to modify and adapt learning programs that accommodate the unique needs of learners in special care centers.
- Monitoring & Evaluation: Assess the effectiveness of educational interventions and teaching methodologies through data-driven evaluations, ensuring continuous improvement in program implementation.
- Policy Compliance & Best Practices: Ensure adherence to national and international special education policies, including priority in placement of out of school learners to schools , advocating for best practices in inclusive education and learner support services.
- Interacting in procurement processes in identifying learning resources tailored for the learners needs to support learning and the implementation of the learning programme.
- Collaborating with the District Based Support Team in the support of Special schools and placement of out of school learners into schools
- National Representative for evidenced based report writing - data verificatio for all 9 provinces and compilation of the provincial report for quartely and annual perfomance
- Participating in the facilitation of the grant evaluations and compiling the evaluation report
Educator
Tamarisk Special School for Autism
Johannesburg
06.2018 - 02.2023
- Taught grade 4-5 English and life skills .Provided learning support services to learners in alignment with inclusion policies, ensuring equitable access to education.
- Designed lesson plans and assessments and implemented adaptive teaching methods tailored to individual learner needs, delivering a modified curriculum to enhance engagement and comprehension.
- Developed individualized education plans (IEPs) for learners and implemented targeted interventions to support their academic and social development.
- Facilitated and conducted teacher development workshops, equipping educators with effective strategies and skills to manage and support learners in the classroom.
- Conducted regular assessments to monitor student progress and identify areas for improvement.
- Facilitated extracurricular activities, enriching students' educational experience beyond the classroom.
- Successfully trained on-site staff in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) techniques to enhance communication strategies for nonverbal and minimally verbal learners.
Educator
Crestview Primary School
Johannesburg
01.2017 - 03.2018
- Taught life skills for grade 4 -6 and economic management sciences for grade 7
- Designed lesson plans ,assessments ,examinations and facilitated physical activities to promote engagement and overall well-being.
- School based support team coordinator
- Participated in professional development workshops to stay abreast of educational trends and best practices.
- Created homework for learners, based on curriculum guidelines and current teaching topics.
- Marking , continous monitoring and issuing report cards .
- Utilised technology in the classroom to enhance teaching effectiveness and learner engagement.
Education
Masters - Inclusive Education
University of Johannesburg
South Africa2026
Post Graduate Diploma - Inclusive Education
University of Johannesburg
South Africa04.2020
Post Graduate Diploma - Education (PGCE)
University of Johannesburg
South Africa04.2016
Bachelor’s Degree - Psychology
University of Johannesburg
South Africa04.2015
Skills
- Education Policy and Advocacy
- Team Leadership(evidence based reporting)
- Research and Analysis
- Curriculum Development
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Training and Capacity Building
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Report Writing and Documentation
- Communications and Outreach
- Event Planning and Facilitation
- Cross-Sector Collaboration(mental health , social development etc)
- Project Management( Accreditated training courses for caregivers )
- Problem solving( mediating conflicts in a team ,implementing collaborative team work strategies)
- Advanced computer proficiency
Certification
- Argumentative and Alternative Communication Certificate, 2021-01-06
- Structured Teaching According to TEACCH Principles, 2019-01-04
- Makaton beginners and foundation, 2018-01-06
Timeline
Senior Education Specialist
Gauteng Department of Education
03.2023 - Current
Educator
Tamarisk Special School for Autism
06.2018 - 02.2023
Educator
Crestview Primary School
01.2017 - 03.2018
Masters - Inclusive Education
University of Johannesburg
Post Graduate Diploma - Inclusive Education
University of Johannesburg
Post Graduate Diploma - Education (PGCE)
University of Johannesburg
Bachelor’s Degree - Psychology
University of Johannesburg