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For this project, I interviewed my colleague and who I consider one of my friends, and also someone who I look up to greatly, Diane Blake. I am currently on my second year working with her, and I have learned so much.

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How long have you been teaching special needs children?

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How long have you been teaching special needs children?

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Diane was a special education para for two years, gen-ed/at-risk teacher for two years, and has now been a special education teacher for 18 years.

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What made you choose the teaching profession and, in particular, teaching special needs children?

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What made you choose the teaching profession and, in particular, teaching special needs children?

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Diane says, "I became a para and I fell in love with teacher and I really like working with kids with special needs and helping them progress". She also stated that while other people in her Intro to Sped class found the class boring, she found it to be very interesting and engaging and that's how she knew it is what she wanted to do.

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How have your ideas toward teaching changed with each passing year of experience? Can you recall your ideas about teaching when you were a teacher education student like me? What were they? What are they now? 

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How have your ideas toward teaching changed with each passing year of experience? Can you recall your ideas about teaching when you were a teacher education student like me? What were they? What are they now? 

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Diane stated that when she first started teaching, she was very strict, but she has softened up a bit when it comes to things that aren't a big deal. She also says, "I think now I have a really good understanding that students basic needs have to be met and you have to build a relationship...everything else will fall into place".

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How does teaching children with special needs differ from teaching other children? What are some challenges you face in teaching special needs children? What are some rewards in teaching special needs children? 

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How does teaching children with special needs differ from teaching other children? What are some challenges you face in teaching special needs children? What are some rewards in teaching special needs children? 

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In regards to teaching special education students, Diane says, "Sometimes you have to think outside the box in how you get students to demonstrate their knowledge". Diane stated that the main reward is when it takes a long time to get something and finally it clicks. She stated that the challenges can be having the resources and helping parents accept that their child has needs.

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What advice can you give me for teaching children with special needs in the regular education classroom? 

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What advice can you give me for teaching children with special needs in the regular education classroom? 

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Diane says to always be willing, it's okay for things not to be perfect and it's alright if things are done differently sometimes.

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What changes, if any, would you make to the educational system with regard to special needs children? 

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What changes, if any, would you make to the educational system with regard to special needs children? 

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Diane says. "I would have more teachers and more support staff". She stated that a lot of problems that occur come from not having enough support.

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If you could choose another career field, would you? 

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If you could choose another career field, would you? 

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Diane states that she would not choose a different career field. She says, "... it's the only job that I've ever had where I didn't look at the clock and wished I could have never come to work that day". She says that this job made her think of time differently.

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Are there any comments you wish to add to close this interview? 

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Are there any comments you wish to add to close this interview? 

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To close, Diane stated that she thinks I would make a great special education teacher! :)