Micky Cunningham

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT MICKY CUNNINGHAM

My speciality lies in tutoring and mentoring adults and young people who have dyslexia, ADHD, ASD and various learning challenges (SEND). Also,\"second-chance\" learners who fell through the cracks in the education system, while trying to survive and make sense of dysfunctional and traumatic childhoods or other disruptive events in their lives. My own journey as a neurodiverse person drives my empathy, insight, and out-of-the-box thinking. My aim is to entertain and inspire learners and make education fun. It is rewarding to empower learners as they build self-confidence and tap into their innate skills and strengths. I am competent in facilitating classroom, correspondence and online delivery, as well as blended learning systems. My holistic approach entails fostering appropriate coping strategies and behaviours to build confidence and self-esteem, maintain personal well-being, and deal with anxiety and stress. I utilise a range of kinaesthetic “hands-on” activities, visual aides and other multi-sensory cues, as well as interactive online resources to enhance learners’ engagement and understanding.I particularly enjoy working with people from diverse world-views, ethnicities and cultures. My work experience as a tutor began informally in South Africa in the 1980s, while completing my university degree. I tutored at an independent school which was established in response to an education boycott that followed the 1976 Soweto riots. Some students were former youth activists and had endured torture or imprisonment (including solitary confinement). Many of them suffered from PTSD as a result of their experiences and struggled with associated learning challenges and mental health issues. I was privileged to learn from mentors who were leaders in the field of alternative education during this critical period in South Africa. My hands-on apprenticeship - tutoring challenged students in difficult circumstances - has given me an excellent repertoire of skills, in particular those needed as an educator working with neurodiverse and marginalised youth and adults.I am also a qualified horticulturist, with experience in organic and sustainable horticulture. I\'ve applied my integrated skills in a range of educational settings, from community based food-growing and employment initiatives to vocational training and delivery of accredited horticulture qualification programmes at tertiary level.