Summerative Project Sped 438

1. SUMMATIVE PROJECT
SPED 438
Susan Quick

2. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a teacher. I’ve worked with kids
since I was in high school and just know that this is what I was called to do, but there is
so much more than just walking into a classroom . . .
This class has touched on several topics which has helped me build my skills so that when I get
out on my own, I will have some great information to lean back on.

3. Collaboration
Collaboration is very importation.
I will be working with
administration, other teachers,
educational professionals,
community and parents. If we
can’t work together, it’s the
students that are going to suffer.
I think it’s important to remember
that every body is going to have
good ideas, and that even though I
think my idea is great, it might not
be best for the current situation.
There are others that will bring
things to the table that will
enhance the learning process, or
make things run smooth. There
are others that have stronger
strengths in areas then other.
When we figure out our strengths
and where we all fit together, we
can get a lot done, with great
ideas that will benefit many.

4. Interpersonal Relationship
In teaching, I will be working with
a lot of people, there will be
days when not everybody will
agree with every thing that is
going on, but it is important to
me to have a good relationship
with the people that I work with.
It is easier to approach someone
that you have a good
relationship if you have an issue
or concern.

5. TEAMS
In teaching there are all kinds of
teams. It might be the
elementary teachers, the paras,
the IEP teams, the
administrators. To be effective
we all must learn, collaborate,
listen and work together.

6. Consultation
Consultation is another
important “skill”. In special
education there is A LOT of
outside people that I may have
to be in contact with depending
on the students that I will have in
my classroom. I may have to
deal with OT, PT, other outside
professionals. I may know a lot
about teachings, but I certainly
do NOT know all the ins and
outs of their jobs. It is
important that I meet with them
so they can help me make the
goals to help make my student
successful.

7. Co-Teaching
Co-teaching is an important to
know how to do, especially in
Special Education. I will be
working a lot with the Gen. Ed
teachers. Depending on the
district, there will be a lot of co-
teaching. It’s important to work
together, work towards the
students goals. Working together
and planning together in advance
makes things a lot smoother, then
just having a student come down
to the classroom with a test and
an instruction note with
modifications that the gen ed
teacher wants to make. That just
makes it difficult for everyone and
more frustrating for a student who
is already stressed.

8. Para Educators
I cannot say enough about Paras.
They are a vital part of my
classroom. They are my extra
eyes, ears and hands. I know that
they will have ideas that are
valuable and I want them to bring
those ideas to me. Some of them
will work one on one with my
students on a daily basis and they
may see issues arise that need
addressed, They need to feel
comfortable coming to me with all
of these things. I’ve seen to many
times paras not get the credit they
deserve. They may not have the
degree, but they sure do a lot to
enhance the learning and
education of my students and I
know that my classroom won’t run
as smoothly without them.

9. Families
Families are ALWAYS going to be an
important part of the team, especially
in Special Education. They know their
student better than anybody else.
They can supply us of information that
we may not know or things they are
seeing at home. We must keep the
line of communications open and make
them feel that they are an important
part and that no one part is better than
the other. I think it’s also a good idea
just to send little notes home for the
good things too. To many times all
parents get are the bad reports.
We rely on them for their consent for
evaluations for their children, we need
to make our classrooms accessable,
and professional, but inviting for them
as well. I want my families to know that
I am approachable too.

10. Asking Questions
I think this can go with several of
the other topics. Everybody
can have questions. We are
always learning, regardless of
how old we are. I have a lot of
questions about technology still.
Questions can be asked for
understanding and clarity. I may
have questions of other
teachers when working with my
students, or parents. The
students and parents may have
questions of me. I want to
make sure that if a student is
asking a question of me, that I
am giving them my full attention,
not being distracted, so that
they know that what they are
asking is just as important as
other things in the classroom.

11. Difficult Interactions
There can always be an
opportunity for difficult
interactions to happen. A bad
day, misunderstandings, and
frustrations just to name a few.
The interactions can be with
students, parents, and other staff.
It’s important to know how to
approach these situations, how to
possibly prevent these from
happening. If we do have to deal
with students, especially students
that may have IEPs there are a few
things that are done differently
unless there are special
circumstances. It’s just always
important to remember to keep
the parents as part of the team to
help if there are behaviors that
need to be addressed

12. Technology and Interactions
Technology is everywhere and the
classroom is not going to be immune
either. The kids coming into my
classroom were born with Ipads in their
little hands. Some of them are way
ahead of me when it comes to the
things that are out there and available
with technology. However, technology
can add a lot to the classroom. It can
help me save time in doing lesson
plans, it can take my students on “field
trips” without leaving classroom. It
also helps with differential teaching.
The software already is adjusted so
that you can pick the level that your
student is working at. So not only can
technology help in Gen. Ed class there
is a lot of technology that can help in
the special education class as well. It
can help with communication, and
other needs that the students may
need.

13. It’s Almost here . . .
I cannot believe how fast these last couple of years have gone. I start block in the fall
and student teaching in December. I am ready to be in the classroom again, and the
skills that I will take with me are very valuable. I will carry this information with me to
help both me and my students be successful.