Waikato Deaf Units Schools History

Elaine V. Hartley began her tenure as a Teacher Aide at Melville Intermediate and Melville High School in 1978. She worked in the Deaf Units while raising two children with her husband, Leonard Hartley, who was a draughtsman, public servant, and carpenter. She retired before 2001 and passed away recently at 91. Numerous D/deaf students from both schools recall her fondly as a highly regarded teacher aide.

Elaine was recognised for her warmth, empathy, respect, and enthusiasm. Her empathetic disposition contributed significantly to her effectiveness in supporting D/deaf and other students. The following strategies may benefit educators and professionals in classroom, community, and workplace contexts.

Types of Empathy

• Affective/Emotional Empathy: Feeling what another person feels, often through emotional contagion.
• Cognitive Empathy: Mentally understanding another’s pain and emotions, even if you don’t feel it yourself.
• Somatic Empathy: Experiencing physical sensations that mirror another’s panother’state.

Why Empathy Matters

• Builds Stronger Relationships: Essential for connection and understanding.
• Improves Communication: Helps in knowing how to respond appropriately.
• Fosters Compassion: Motivates helping behaviours and reduces distress.

How to Practice Empathy

• Listen Actively: Pay close attention to what others are saying.
• Imagine Their Situation: Make a conscious effort to understand another person’s perspective and experiences.
• Validate Feelings: Acknowledge and show you understand their emotions.

Short recollections from former D/deaf students on the Facebook group describe Elaine as wonderful, caring, bubbly, cheerful, and the best teacher aide they had encountered. I (Jean) recall that Elaine invited most of the students to her home, located between two schools, for social interaction. This was unusual, as school policy typically prohibited students from visiting a teacher aide’s home, and I was unsure how she arranged this, but perhaps she obtained permission from the school principal.

Elaine accompanied us to school camps and various workplaces, including visits to the police station, as part of our work experience.

Are there any D/deaf students, teacher aides and teachers of the Deaf students or other students who know her through school? Please comment below or message me. It is a draft biography.

Photos to come.