Blog 5

I have learned so much in our class. I learned that in order to become an advocate for something in which you believe in, it is important when trying to get people to see why you feel so strongly about an issue have facts and information that will support your issue. The class that I had the opportunity to visit was great. The principal, teacher, had many years under their belts. I saw first hand how teaching children can be rewarding in itself. Also seeing children with limited abilities interact and do activities as everyone else. I also seen young children see the world as being the same and the differences of each child was not important because they saw the likeness rather than the differences in each other. The principle, the teacher, students, and parents all welcome me and I am grateful for the experience.

The research paper itself was very difficult up to the end. This was the first time in a long while that I had to write a paper of this magnitude. I used the resources that was provided along with the information that I researched to include in the paper. I know that part two of the class will be an extension of this one and I know that I am going to need all the help that I can get. I thank all of my colleagues for their advice as well as their input to help me in my research paper. 

Good luck to Everyone!

I just wanted to say thanks to all my colleagues that responded to my blogs and gave me useful ideas for completing my research paper on Inclusion I look forward to working with each of you in Internship two. I have learned a lot from my colleagues, observational hours, interviews with professionals and the extensive research that was done to fullfill the requirements for this class. I am thankful for the resources that guided me with detailed help for writing my paper. also the the application, blogs, discussion questions were very beneficial to me and I plan to utilize the information in the next portion of this class

Blog 4

I had the opportunity to speak with a parent of a student that I will call Troy who was diagnosed with ADD at the age of five.  She explained that at first she and her husband had a hard time accepting the diagnosis of her son.  She also explained some of Troy’s behavior that led her to seeking outside help for her son. She and her husband were afraid that Troy would hurt himself through the excessive running, jumping, and the inability to sit still. Troy’s behavior led him to take medication daily to aid in helping him with controlling his behavior. I also asked if she noticed a difference in Troy’s behavior since being diagnosed. I also discussed with the parent whether or not she and the teacher worked out activities that will reinforce positive behaviors at home and at school. The parent stated that she was glad that her son was able to attend a regular setting classroom. Troy parent also loved the fact her son was not labeled and did not have to pull out of his regular classroom to receive his special services. The teacher worked with her and positive reinforcement behaviors were put into place at school and at home. She stated that together she and the teacher worked together with rewards, point system to encourage positive action from Troy’s.

 I think that a special learning experience that I received in the two weeks that I observed is how involved the parents were in their child’s classroom. The parents were always welcomed into her classroom. If there were any questions or concerns that the parents have the teacher were there to answer them. There were many children who have disabilities in her classroom and they are as involved in activities as the rest of the children. The children are working together and it seems that a community within her classroom. Also the teacher sends home weekly newsletter that contains information for the week and activities as well as recipes that children and their families can do at home. As my time is nearing the end I now know what type of teacher that I would like to be. I would also want to have a good relationship with my students and their parents as well as having a voice within the community.

 One insight that I gained from my observation is that all children learn and behave differently. I also learned through my observation that all children can learn. It is also important to inform parents of the progress of their children. also if you have observe something that is out of the norm for a child, the child exhibiting a certain behavior, having trouble seeing the board, or difficulties hearing direction. Another insight that I learned through my interaction with the teachers, parents and director is that there are services that are put into place for children with special needs. Early intervention is essential for children who have special needs. Teachers must work together with parents and special services providers to ensure that children will receive an enriched learning experience.

Interview with Professionals

Whom you observed and interacted with in your setting during these two weeks

I had the opportunity to observe the principle at Thomas Edison Elementary school. She has worked in the district for over fifteen years. The time that I spent talking and observing her she demonstrated love, patience and understanding for the students. The first week that I observed her she had a little first grade student who was sent to her office for behavior problems. The principle stated that she has been working with the little boy since the beginning of the school year. She stated that he has behavioral issues and every Friday he will come into her office and they would talk about his week and rather or not his name was moved for behavioral reasons. That particular day the little boy was able to retrieve a token of how proud she was of him for that week for staying in the safe zone. The next week there was a different student in her office.

 

Any special learning experiences, insights, challenges, etc., related to your topics/focus questions and/or advocacy efforts in this setting, the community, and/or the field

I had a chance to talk with the principle of the school and she shared her view on how important inclusion is for the students. She provided me with a rule book that discusses the policy that her school district have on Special education. There was a lot of information that she provided for me to read at my leisure. A learning experience that I gained talking to the principle is that the teachers have to attend many workshops and training that will help them better serve the needs of all students. She also stressed how important early intervention is.  An insight that I received was information on their Child Find. Child Find is responsible for seeking out and identifying all children from birth up to the age of 21 within their school district that maybe eligible for special education and/or related services.

She also talked about inclusion and how children who are diagnosed as special need children their progress is reviewed and is also an ongoing progress that will continue to be monitored by teachers, and other professionals. She stated that this in an important process because it will allow children that does exhibit problems that will interfere with the education to be eligibility for special education and related services. Another insight that I received was that the teachers there were encouraged to participate in their transition planning. This transitional planning allow teachers and the designated lead agency will develop a transitional plan that will enable their school to implement IFSP and IEP that is to be no later than their third birthday. She also stated that children are placed in a least restrictive environment. This means that students who have disabilities have the rights to be educated with non disabled students to the maximum extent appropriate.

I asked the principle about the challenges of inclusion she was faced with. She stated that some children exhibit behavior problems because of their disabilities. She stated that the safety of all children in their goal as well as education.  She also stated that it is essential for teachers to receive proper training that will enable them to place emphasis on positive disciplines. She also state that another challenge is the lack of proper funding that will enable teachers, principles, and support staff to have continuous professional development.

During the last two weeks I talked with the principle who also believes it is important for families to be an active participate in their child’s education.  Parents must have supports systems in which they can meet and talk together about their concerns. They must also build relationships with peers who are in the community. They must also know and become familiar with the rights that their children have. Also it is important for them to be an advocate for their child and their rights.

Inclusion

Whom you observed and interacted with in your setting during these two weeks

I had the opportunity to observe in a kindergarten class at Edison school. I had the opportunity to observe a parent who was walking with her son into the classroom. I noticed the parent trying to hold her son’s hand and he kept pulling away. The little boy (I will call Darren) however, ran into the classroom straight for a toy in which he grabbed and began playing with.  I was able to observe this parent with her child on two other observation and everyday it is pretty much the same, him pulling away from his mother and running into the classroom grabbing the same toy.

 

 

Any special learning experiences, insights, challenges, etc., related to your topics/focus questions and/or advocacy efforts in this setting, the community, and/or the field

I had the chance to continue my observation of Darren throughout my time in the class. I noticed that Daren had to be asked several times to do certain activities. Even if asked several times it seemed as though he picked the activities in which he wanted to participate in. During the play time Darren played alone. However, if he saw a toy or an item that other classmates have he would run over and take the toy. The teacher would talk to Darren and he would try to pull away and go to another area that caught his attention. She would encourage him to apologize for taking the toys away from his friends. Although he could not speak clearly he did attempt to apologize.

 

I had the opportunity to speak with the teacher when the children went to lunch. She stated that Darren has been diagnosed with Autism. She also stated that his parents were having a difficult time accepting that their son has Autism. She also stated that she have noticed some improvement in the way Darren is communicating. She also stated that Darren is taking out for speech. She also stated that Darren will withdraw and have behavioral issues if the routine is broken. I asked her how she felt about inclusion and she stated she is all for it if the children who have special needs is going to benefit from it. It can be a bit challenging at times but the overall experience of inclusion is was a positive one. The teacher also believes that an inclusive was good for the children as well as her because everyone had the opportunity to learn and grow. She also stated that it is important that the school district provide the service necessary to accommodate the students and their families. She also stated that inclusion will have a long lasting benefit for children with special needs. I learned that teachers must have full knowledge of the strengths as well as the limitation of the child with special needs. Another insight that I gained from speaking with the teacher of this kindergarten class is how important it is to have support of administration staff, therapist, parents and children, and that all are perfect ingredients for positive inclusive experience. “Every student can learn, just not on the same day, or the same way.”– George Evans.  

Blog 1

Insights gained from your interviews regarding current advocacy efforts and needs in your area of interest within the field of early childhood

I had the opportunity to meet with two early childhood educators to discuss how they felt about inclusion. The first interview was with a preschool teacher who has been teaching for well over fifteen years. She stated that she has over twenty students and only one child who was diagnose with autism. She stated that they child have a teacher assistance assigned to assist in the meeting the child’s need. The second professional I interviewed was a kindergarten teacher. She also stated that what she as well as other colleagues is faced with current issues such as class sizes and inclusion students.  I believe that these issues will be great for the research paper. However, narrowing them down to three topics is a challenge for me.

How these interviews may have influenced your decision about which area of interest and topics to choose for your research paper

I retain a lot of information regarding inclusion. There are also many topic of interests in which I can do my research paper. The two teachers that I interviewed were of great help. They were very passionate with their current issues of teaching early childhood. The two also expressed their concerns with new laws that maybe put into place regarding holding teacher accountable for their students test scores. I really enjoyed interviewing the two professionals because of the abundance of information they were willing to share with me.

Which area of interest you are thinking of focusing on for your paper as well as the related three specific topics

My thoughts on inclusion is that I think it is good for children who have special needs and there are many benefits for them in a regular classroom. I think that the area of focus that I am seriously thinking about doing for my research paper is Inclusion in the classroom. I also believe that the specific topics of focus will be the parent components/involvements, benefits of inclusion and resources that is available for the students/family.

Questions you have for your colleagues related to your area of interest and/or three topics

What are your thoughts about inclusion?  What are others specific areas might I add to my research paper?

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