SABAH TEACHER TURNS LOVE FOR AUTISTIC SON INTO LIFE-CHANGING INNOVATION

KOTA KINABALU, Dec 15  (Bernama) -- For Dr Velerie Wheelervon Primus, better known as Vonn Primus in his circle, raising his nine-year-old autistic son has been a journey of love, resilience, and inspiration. His personal experience as a father sparked an extraordinary project - a multisensory room designed to help special needs students thrive at his rural school in Sabah.

As a special education teacher at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Bingkor, Keningau, Vonn Primus has turned challenges into a mission. Located over two hours from the state capital, SK Bingkor may be tucked away in a quiet part of Keningau, but the impact of his work is anything but small.

With a profound understanding of inclusive education, Vonn Primus transformed an old teacher’s quarters into a state-of-the-art multisensory room with three distinct areas.

One section serves as a teaching space equipped with a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) lab and a digital integration hub. Another section, the Snoezelen room, provides a calming environment for students experiencing sensory overload or tantrums, complete with aromatherapy. The third section, a play therapy room, doubles as a reward space for students who excel and a training area for developing occupational skills.

“Many of our students face behavioural or sensory challenges. The Snoezelen room helps them calm down, while the play therapy room motivates and rewards their progress. It’s a holistic approach to nurturing their development,” he told Bernama.

Vonn Primus' multisensory room, the first of its kind in Keningau, has already made a remarkable difference. His research into sensory development and the pyramid of learning highlights the importance of addressing the sensory needs of special students to help them focus and succeed.

“The results have been incredible. About 70 per cent of our autistic students have overcome speech and behavioural challenges. Academically, 10 of them have mastered basic reading, writing, and arithmetic. Some who couldn’t speak are now reading fluently,” he said proudly.

The project, which began late last year and was completed earlier this year, cost around RM25,000. Vonn Primus funded RM10,000 from his winnings in the Rise Educator Award 2023, supplementing the rest with his own savings.

Vonn Primus’ tireless efforts to ensure equal access to education for special needs children have not gone unnoticed. In October, he was honoured with the Malaysia Teacher Prize 2024 by Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek. This prestigious accolade crowns a year in which he also won the National and Sabah State Special Education Teacher Awards and the Sabah State Youth Premier Award.

“Innovation is essential for both teachers and parents. It makes delivering knowledge to children, whether at school or at home, much more effective,” he said.

His dedication has also inspired his colleagues. This year, he led a team of four teachers from SK Bingkor to create innovative teaching tools, earning three gold and two silver awards at state-level competitions.

Looking ahead, Vonn Primus is driven by his belief that “Miracles Do Happen.” His long-term vision includes creating a parent support group for families of special needs children.

“Many parents lack the training or knowledge to manage and teach their special needs children effectively. A support group would allow us to share resources, help one another, and organise training sessions for parents to develop the skills needed at home,” he said.

His story is one of hope, determination, and the power of one teacher to change lives, not just for his students but for an entire community.

-- BERNAMA