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I have been teaching special education for 2 full years, this is my 3rd year as a teacher.

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I chose to teach special education because I wanted to get back into teaching after staying home with my own children and running a daycare business for 11 years. I had many special education students in my daycare. When I began applying for jobs in 2019, I was given the opportunity to teach special education on a waiver. I love my job and the students I serve. I will graduate with my masters degree in May of 2022.

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Student teaching was very different from what I do now, especially in the area of reading. We used a reading workshop/ whole language approach to reading. Now we use more of the science of reading.

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When I did my student teaching in 2002, teaching special education students was very different than it is now. There were very few students that qualified and these were sent to the resource room for a larger part of their day. Now we strive to include students in the regular classroom. There are many more students who qualify students now. I have always been drawn to special education students, but never thought that I would be a special education teacher because of the extra work of writing IEPs. Often I do not get a planning period and/or very limited lunch time due to filling in for my paraprofessionals when they are absent. Regular education teachers do not typically have to do this. I was right about the extra work, but the rewards of the relationships I have built with my students make it worth it.

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1. In the regular classroom, special education students need to be held to a high standard while providing their accommodations. General education teachers and special education teachers should work together to differentiate instruction.

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1. I would love to see more of the co-teaching model in schools. Special education students need to be with their peers so they do not get further behind.

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1. I have already had several different careers!  Each one I enjoyed in different ways. I loved working at a bank -- organizing and keeping detailed records.  I loved having my own daycare, nurturing and caring for children. These both prepared me for my job today!

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Teaching special education students is something I am passionate about. I love finding creative ways to help my students learn.