Wrapping it all up!

As I submitted my final CEP assessment, I took sometime to really reflect on the importance of classes like this one for future educators like my myself. I realize that not everyone is meant to teach special education but learning how to meet their needs if put in the situation (which is almost guaranteed to happen)! Learning alternative methods for effectively using technology in the classroom is beneficial is just keeping the direction and learning environment fun! Before this class I was not a regular on twitter, whether for social networking or educational but after learning how it could benefit me, I'm able to pick up something interesting everyday because I am now following well informed/knowledgeable professionals. I was never a fan of blogging because I just didn't think it was necessary, although I still wouldn't call myself a regular I have become more comfortable with it lately. The course overall taught me some interesting teaching methods and it also taught me how to navigate things I may need later on through my college years. One of the things I'd say that kept me most interested in the class was the fact both my professors gave us a real life outlook on the world of special educator from the viewpoint of a special ed teacher and a special ed student; literally the best of both worlds! Sara would give some of here educational standpoints of things concerning special education teachers. while Ira gave the harsh flip side of how hard things are for the teacher! Learning of these things make me better equipped for when I do get in that position! There is nothing like those real world perspectives and I think if more parents/teachers/students could work together to tell people how things really go, our student retention rate wouldn't be so low and our teachers wouldn't want to switch over after less than a year! Ira and Sara you guys really did a great job in creating such a warm learning environment, thank you!

Another perspective of living with a Learning Disability

The youtube video "My life with a learning disability" gave a very powerful perspective of what life is really like for a student suffering with ADHD. It's common for people to sympathize with openly autistic, deaf or blind students but I learned from the video that students with disabilities not visible are the one's who need the most attention but very seldom get it. Hearing the teen boy tell "his story" was one of the most heartfelt things I've ever seen. He discussed all the things he struggled with that the average kid his age, or even a teacher may have overlooked. His story touched me as a student and as a future teacher because I know there are a lot more kids in the classroom with the same unfortunate story. What I thought was worse was that, he was too embarrassed to ever reach out to anyone for help and most importantly of everyone in the school (teachers, principal, counselors) no one noticed that there was a problem. That made me a little nervous. As a future educator myself, I fear having a student in my class who needs "extra help" or is seeking to be noticed but never gets it. What is the common ground for teachers with a classroom full of students with different needs and a student in need of help but being overlooked because of the majority? I know the answer to this question is far from simple but at some point it has to be addressed in some way because too many students of our capable students are being "left behind".