Nadira Sonali Persad

Nadira Sonali Persad B.A., B.Ed., M.Ed.

5 Flamboyant Shades, 916 Sarnia Road, Bellair 4094, Durban, South Africa

(031) 465 7781 (H) (031) 4033369 (W) Email: sonali@global.co.za

website: www.warthog.co.za/sonali

Back Personal Information
Marital Status: Married (no children)
Nationality: South African
Date of Birth: 17. 08.1959
Age: 39
Place of Birth: Greytown, South Africa

Education and Qualifications
University of Natal (1996)
M.Ed. in Specialised Education (cum laude).
University of Natal (1994)
B.Ed. (Specialising in Developmental Problems and Special Needs).
University of South Africa (1991)
B.A.( Majoring in English and Psychology).
University of Durban-Westville (1985)
B.A. (part- time). Completed courses in English 2 and Political Science 1.
University of Natal (1983)
Diploma in Specialised Education (Remedial)
Springfield Training College (1979)
Pre- and Junior Primary Education Diploma
Durban Indian Girls High School (1976)
Matriculation Certificate.

Professional Experience
Conference Papers (1996-1997)
Paper presented at the Fifth Biennial International Conference of the International Association of Special Education in Cape Town, 5 August 1997. Title : The Integration of Children with Physical Disabilities in KwaZulu-Natal: A Case Study.
Paper presented at the 21^st National Conference of the South African Association for Learning and Educational Difficulties in Pretoria, 2 April 1996. Title : Collaborating to Meet Special Educational Needs.
University of Natal (1995-1998)
Part-time graduate Assistant in the School of Education.
Tutor to Educational Psychology Students.
Lectured B. Ed. students on Street Children.
Evaluator to Student Teachers.
Conducted seminars with Master’s students

Additional Professional Activities
Research:
1994 - (March - June) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, University of Natal.
1994 - (June - September) A Study of the Peer Relationships of a group of Street Children, University of Natal.
1995-1996 (Dissertation) An Investigation into The Challenges Facing an Integration Project at a Durban Secondary School.

Employment
University of Natal
Tutor for Bachelor of Education.
Parkview Primary School, Umhlatuzana, Durban (September 1995 to 1999)
Remedial teacher for "mainstream" needs (pre-primary to Std 2).
Head of Department (1998)
Durban Heights Primary School, Overport, Durban (February 1995 to March 1995)
Remedial teacher for ‘mainstream’ needs (Class one to Std 2).
Nagari Pracharni Primary School, Durban (January 1984 to February 1995)
Language and Mathematics teacher at the Regional Remedial Centre in Overport, Durban.
Ferndale Primary School (January 1980 to January 1983)
Junior Primary Teacher ( Std 1- 1980, Class 1- 1981 / 1982)

References
Dr. A. Muthukrishna, Lecturer, School of Education, University of Natal, (031) 2602610 (w) , 444255 (h)
Mrs S. Jairaj, Lecturer, Special Needs in Education, Faculty of Education, University of Durban Westville, (031) 2044154 (w) , 442434 (h)
Mr D. Sankar, Principal, Parkview Primary School, (031) 4033369 (w) 430834 (h)

Extra-Curricular Activities
1984 - 1998:
Counsellor to parents and pupils, arranging psychological assessments, eye and hearing tests etc.
1985 - 1994
Editor of annual school newspaper.
First Aid officer.
Co-ordinated of oral communication programme.
1984 - 1994
Co-ordinator of school social club/ cultural society.
1989 - 1993
Table tennis coach.
1991 - 1994
Director of school concerts.

Interests and Activities
I enjoy travelling and have been both to the U.S., Europe, Australasia and the Far East. I also enjoy reading (mostly non-fiction), good music, films and theater and am a fairly active ballroom dancer. When not otherwise occupied, I occasionally spend time using the Internet. Finally, I have an avid interest in children with special needs.
My husband and I have known each other for some years but only married relatively recently. We live in Durban, a city of some four million souls on the subtropical coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Apart from being both a local and international tourism destination as a consequence of its proximity to the Drakensberg and big game parks, it is also the largest port on the African continent.
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