My Work Experience: My Philosophy Of Special Education

The amount of people who live with disabilities is a controversial number. Depending on what law and diagnostic tools used, a person may have a visible disability, or one that may lie beneath the surface of his or her appearance. Some people believe that the term “disability” is merely a label use to hold back, or prescribe helplessness. Meanwhile, individuals who have been properly diagnosed with disabilities struggle to maintain respect and acceptance every day. In plain language, there is a lot of misunderstanding between people with disabilities and those without. It is firstly important to get everyone on the same page regarding the definition of disability.

Time is passing and opportunities are opening for more students with special needs. Many students in college are getting more interested in Special Education as career that will allow more organization to have more workers with a big potential that will have an important impact on these kids with disabilities. However, this will require more training for the students that organizations around the country can give them. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,“the career outlook for special education teachers should remain steady through 2024, with an increase of 6%, the national average for job growth in the United States. The median salary for this position is just over $55,000 annually,” (“Master in Special Education”) The approach the

A stereotype that is often associated with special education is that its only for students with a severe disability. Special Education is for all disabled children no matter how severe or the need for the special education services. This stereotype often leads faculty and others to misclassify or inappropriately place students in a special education program. Another stereotype is that special education can only be performed in a “special” classroom with other students with a disability. Being placed in special education doesn’t mean that the student needs to be restricted from the other students without a disability. Children with a disability should be educated in general education classrooms with typical peers as much as possible. As teachers,

I have distinctly applied for Special Needs Education because special education has always been what’s near and dear to me in the field of education. Being a special education teacher would be an inevitably rewarding job, in which I get to watch my students grow, as I celebrate their small breakthroughs and victories with them. These small breakthroughs and victories will improve over time and turn into giant leaps, which will leave a lasting impact and ultimately change the child’s life. Beyond just educating children with special needs, I aspire to educate the public about children with special needs and special education. By doing so, I hope to remove any uncertainty and fear the public has on this group of children. Not only do I want to impart knowledge on these special children, I also want to advocate for them, which is something that goes

My personal philosophy of special education drives not from teaching in the field, but from, observations, and personal experience, and the workshops I attended. I have had the opportunity to work with individuals with special needs in many different settings, all this help cultivate my knowledge in handling the needs of the special needed student. Special needs students have the ability to learn, to function, to grow, and most importantly to succeed. The difference comes into how they learn or how they need to be taught. There are as many beliefs about the "hows" as there are teachers and each of us forms our own philosophy through our experiences and research. As a student in a special education teachers’ program, learners with

Rules, regulations, and federal laws for special education have improved as the years have gone by. This essay will indicate how educators teaching special education must comprehend the mandates of the Individual with Disability Act (IDEA), student and parental rights. This essay will also explain how court cases (past and present) and IDEA has given special education students the ability to receive a Free Appropriate Education (FAPE). My interview with Ms. Patricia Pritchett, Coordinator of Special Education in DeKalb County School District, was able to give me information and guidelines in reference to their county procedures and policies for the special education department. The interview with Ms. Pritchett gave me insight as to special education legal framework and how the constant changes that affects students with disabilities and regular education students.

The purpose of schooling is to help our special education students to be functional and independent in the real world. I want them to learn how to deal with real life situations and to be able to understand and adapt to the changes it may bring. For example, being an autism teacher of high school students, my philosophy is different than of an autism teacher of elementary students. The most important thing of concern for the older students is to make sure they are as independent as possible and teach them some type of job skill to help them acquire a pay check to help with their care. I also help them have an

Suspense, excitement, and nervousness are all emotions that I have once embarked on as a student at some point in my academic career. This seems a bit ironic, that I am now experiencing the same emotions as I am now venturing on my path to becoming a special education teacher. My journey will include challenging students to critically think, while establishing positive teaching strategies with open communication, adhering to various creative projects to retain class concepts, and collaborating with other seasoned teachers to gain helpful information to improving my class.

There are millions of children that are passing through the United States school system every day, not all children possess the same traits, and not all children can learn at the same rate, and do not perform at the same ability. The fact that all children learn differently and some have difficulties learning in general classrooms, special education was put into place to try and take care of these issues. Special education programs were put into place to help all students with disabilities. These children range from general disabilities to more complex and severe disabilities. There has been a revolution occurring in the past several years with education systems, and special education. There have now been several laws that have been

It has identified how to improve the growth of students. In order to keep moving progressively forward law must be put in place which can “develop more effective and efficient approaches to prevention/intervention in special education” (Hardman, 2006, p. 8) The laws and mandates of special education must not be left to interpretation. If the nation would like to see the full potential reached of policies that has come before there must be a clear and concise place in place which addresses a way to fund new ideas and concepts. Finally, it should “reflect a re-conceptualized understanding of the purpose of education and the role of the teacher in ensuring the development of the whole child (Shealey, Lue, Brooks, & McCray, 2005, p.

Looking back to who I was two years ago in SST 253, a lot has changed in the perspective in actually teaching my lessons. Back then, I had not taken any of my education and special education courses that taught me to be aware of learning and physical disabilities, and ELL learners within the classroom. So I had the limited knowledge of what kind of students I would have in my classroom therefore I had a simplistic view of how to reach all my students in this idea of all idealistic classroom with “perfect” kids. Although with my experience of summer camp serving underserved children in my community, I knew that I would need to build a relationship with my students to create an open environment for dialogue. Due to students’ various backgrounds

When I was asked to reflect on my experiences in EDSE 316 and the fieldwork, I had to think long and hard on how I would sum up four months of classes and fieldwork into four pages. I have learned so much about the various disabilities and how it has change the world of special education. I think a better term would be the “endless possibilities of education”. It wasn’t too long ago when children with disabilities would be stuck in a room in the back of school only to be seen in the beginning and end of the school day. They were the ones who rode the other buses and no one really talked about. This class has allowed me to speak of my own family and how special education impacted my life. I have a brother whose whole life was spent in the special education class, and my own sons with speech and learning disabilities who are now receiving special education services. It also allowed me to reflect on my own participation in the special education program in my early elementary years when I was struggling with my own speech disability. This class gave me the chance to see the timeline of special education, from its earliest beginnings to what it is now.

My philosophy of teaching has come from many years of teaching experience here in the Beacon City School District. As I reflect on my beliefs regarding teaching and learning, I find that my mission as a teacher is to promote positive learning, to spark enthusiasm for learning, and to provide a strong foundation for lifelong learners, which corresponds with your mission statement here at J.V. Forrestal.

Special Education is a topic of controversy with many advocates fighting for the justice children and adults with special needs so rightfully deserve. With laws being passed and modified so frequently, it is important that the educators being brought into the world have an extensive knowledge of the developmental needs of many different types of children. With this knowledge and their constant measures to keep up to date with the fast-moving world of education, they will be able to deliver an appropriate atmosphere that is in accordance with the law that ensures ethical practices and guidelines are always being followed.

It is believed that all students have specific, varying needs and learning styles. As an educator, it is my duty to meet the needs of every individual and make accommodations; especially in regards to a student with an exceptionality. Special education should not be a separate division of a school but rather an integral piece to complete the entire structure. Students with exceptionalities should be given the exact opportunities that an able-bodied student would have in areas such as, but not limited to, education and extracurriculars. They should be encouraged to participate with their fellow peers and build relationships with students of all personalities and characteristics. Maintaining a level playing field in all aspects of a student’s