My Professional Growth-Reflection
I feel that I have learned a lot through this course. This six weeks journey is going to lead me to the pathway to continue exploring unknown areas of special education. There is so much to do yet !
I have thoroughly enjoyed all the readings and discussion posts in this course. This course has opened my eyes to the world of inclusive education with a different perspective. I joined this course with a very brief understanding of the theories and practices underlying the education of special needs students.
The field of special education is dynamic; it is constantly changing and evolving. It is, therefore, critical to remain up to date and informed in order to ensure that we are providing our students with a quality education. Over the past month, the experiences I had, have taught me the importance of being informed and educated about the history, regulations, guidelines, laws, policies, and theories in the field of special education. As a regular classroom teacher, it is my responsibility to be an advocate for my students and their families.
I know that my classroom will, without a doubt, contain at least one student with an exceptionality. Whether they are identified or not, it is my responsibility to ensure that my students receive support and resources necessary to make them successful learners.
I believe that my experience in this course has expanded and deepened my knowledge of special education in BC. It includes the knowledge of available resources, policies and programs, development of an Individual Education Plan (IEP), in-school supports, community supports, assistive technology, formal/informal assessment, and instructional strategies. I also got chance to explore types of exceptionalities, teaching strategies, concept of UDL & ADAPT, and other issues related to teaching and learning in the inclusive classroom.
Through this course, I gained a much greater understanding of the overall development and needs of a child with an exceptionality in the classroom. Through research and readings of discussion posts, I developed a better understanding and respect for the highly trained and experienced school staff and community workers who help in providing resources and programs for exceptional students. I could develop a greater appreciation for my role as a classroom teacher and how I can teach, assess, and motivate all my students in a way that also supports my exceptional students through the Universal Design for Learning approach. Through discussions, I developed an understanding of how special education programming and policies are applied in a variety of situations and how other teachers have successfully integrated and adapted their teaching to support their exceptional students.
I truely believe that every regular classroom teacher should be required to take this introductory course. Not only is this course necessary to prepare teachers to meet the needs of all of their students academically, it also works to deepen teachers’ sensitivity and awareness of the learning environment in their classroom. Overall, this course has prepared me to meet the needs of my future students. In my professional development as an educator, I will continually strive to be the teacher that all of my students need and deserve.
To further develop my knowledge and skills in special education, I plan to:
- Attending workshops and conferences
- Reflecting on my current practice and experiences within the classroom.
- Perform regular professional readings and review current special education news and policies
- Developing skills and experience in using assitive technology and softwares
- Continue other parts of Special Education courses
- Open, frequent communication with parents of an exceptional student (s)
- Training for any equipment/technology an exceptional student is expected to use in my classroom
- Frequent collaborative and progress meetings with resource staff and Education Assistant (s) to discuss goal setting for students