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Once I started researching for my PK and for the extra modules, I realized how in depth the topic of special education is. It is really great that society has come so far with it in a few decades, but there is still so much more to be done. There could be entire courses about all the different disabilities and methods we learned about. I would be really interested to see what a special education degree requires for courses. They must be fascinating. However, given the amount of students that are considered to have disabilities, general educators should have to take the same classes as special educators.

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Everyone knows that having a positive learning environment is key to a child's academic and mental success. The problem is that not everyone can always suggest how to accomplish this. For another class of mine, we discussed the method of no punishment. This sounds great, but when I asked the professor what to do instead, she had no suggestions. When we studied PBIS, I finally felt like I got answers on how to create a positive atmosphere. There was one website in particular that was so helpful. It gave 11 strategies for positive classroom management. I saved the link to a file on my computer because I want to be able to refer to it when I am a teacher and utilize their methods.

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Before this course, I had heard of IEPs. However, I knew very little about them. Through reading the textbook and reading the sample IEPs for the co-teaching assignment, I learned so much. I was able to view actual IEPs and see the different elements that make up the document. I feel as though I have a better grasp on what to do when I am handed a child's IEP because I am familiar with it now. I also now understand the time constraint for teachers to complete IEPs, but what I don't understand is the complaining that so many teachers do. Sure, they are time consuming. But, they are to benefit the student and that's what is most important.

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A really great way to ensure learning for all students is to use all different means to do so. SWD often need accomodations, but every student learns differently. Through differentiated instruction, I learned that there need to be options for each different type of learner. For example, visual cues are not only great for someone who is hard of hearing or deaf, but for someone who is a visual learner. Similarly, books on tape could help not only someone with a visual impairment, but an individual who learns best through audio.

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Knowing Individual Students + Competency 2

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Knowing Individual Students + Competency 2

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Observing and being present in the classroom at all times is how I am going to help my students succeed best. Whenever I walk through the school doors, my main focus is how to best achieve the success of my students. This will be done by being aware of who needs special attention, who needs a different type of assessment, who needs a different learning strategy, or who needs information presented in a different way. Getting to know all of my students as individuals is how I am going to best help my students learn.

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I have always believed that those with disabilities can accomplish anything that those without disabilities can. Now I understand why. Students with disabilities just need to learn differently than their peers. It is the role of the teacher to help them identify their strengths and develop the most beneficial learning method from that.

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A specific detail that stuck out to me was to always talk directly to those with hearing impairments, instead of looking at the translator. This recognizes the individual, instead of the disability. This is kind of like saying "students with disabilities" instead of "disabled students."

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This course helped to reassure myself that I am studying the right subject. The classroom observation assignment reminded me of just how much I adore being in the classroom environment. I was so happy the day I went in to observe. The co-teaching lesson plan introduced me to a new found love of creating lessons. I just created a 5 lesson unit for another course and had so much. Most importantly, this course made me realize that I am meant to be a teacher. As I was learning about different methods and strategies, like non-verbal cues, I realized that I already do some of those things when I am around kids and I never even noticed because I didn't know what they were. I have always felt like I have a natural ability when working with kids, and now I realize that I was actually using RTI and explicit instruction, etc. when I was tutoring at my internship. This course just made me feel like I belong in this department and I am pursuing the correct career path.

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I learned so much information in this course that can relate to all students and not just SWD. This course introduced me to RTI, Explicit Instruction, different co-teaching methods, and different ways of thinking when preparing my lessons. I did not have a strong background in education before this course, but now I find that I impress myself when speaking to others about what I am learning about. The co-teaching lesson plan was the first one I had ever written. This course sort of helped me to "catch up" with my peers.

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One thing I learned was the range of disabilities. I always knew about autism, ADHD, etc. These are all the "common" disabilities people think of because these are the most talked about. I never considered health impairments, like asthma or Tourette Syndrome, to be disabilities. Those just never crossed my mind.

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My step sister is a special education teacher in Nashville and my best friend is a caregiver at a group home for people with disabilities. I never thought I would be able to hold either of those positions. But after taking this course, I feel so much more confident in my abilities. I have even been looking up summer jobs that involve working with students with special needs. Once I learned about all the different warning signs, characteristics, and strategies I felt like I was well equipped to work with people with disabilities. This course gave me a lot of confidence in myself because I have so much knowledge on the subject now.

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Before this course, I always used the excuse that "it takes a special person to be a special education teacher." What I meant was that some people were just "good" at teaching special education. Now, I believe this was a cop-out. I was afraid. I did not have a lot of knowledge about special education and people with disabilities. I still stand by this phrase, but for different reasons than before. What I mean now is that special education teachers are some of the most brave, heartwarming, and determined teachers out there and THAT is what makes them special.