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Mrs. Diana Boley

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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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I have been teaching since 1981, however, I began my career in general education.  That background, K-12 in various content areas and grade levels provided a strong foundation for my transition to special education in 2008.  I have taught special needs children as a special education teacher for 14 years, although I have had special needs students in my classrooms throughout my 40+ years of teaching, through inclusion etc.

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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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I chose to teach because I love children, seeing them learn, and helping others.  School is my “happy place” (or one of them anyway!)  One thing I have always appreciated about this profession is the variety that is available and the challenges, so when the opportunity to begin teaching special education, first on a waiver taking special education courses and training, I felt like I had found my niche. I love the individual “piece” of special education, finding the missing “piece” that helps a student with special needs be successful and transition through their education, helping build their skills, confidence, and independence.

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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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My ideas toward teaching have evolved over the past 4 decades.  Things have become more child-centered, more concern with the WHOLE child, more focused on standards, assessments, and consistent curriculum.  More flexibility, less rigidity in the teaching profession has been a pleasant transition and experience.  Today, I appreciate the curriculum guides that are not strictly related to the textbook company but are now more streamlined to the developmental needs of kids and have a comprehensive scope and sequence, less open to the whimsy of a notion of what to teach today.

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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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Teaching children with special needs is incredibly rewarding while at the same time challenging!  The rewards I notice are those moments when the child “gets” the content, comes to YOU for help and advice instead of avoiding, shutting down, or giving up.  The best reward is seeing them go on to being independent and successful adults.  Challenges include the children that are the hardest to build a relationship with / or are most resistant to our efforts to help them improve.

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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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Stay kind, compassionate, understanding, firm – yet flexible, supportive, be knowledgeable yet “human”!

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What changes, if any, would you make to the educational system with regard to special needs children? Consider such aspects as inclusion, funding, state assessments, etc...

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What changes, if any, would you make to the educational system with regard to special needs children? Consider such aspects as inclusion, funding, state assessments, etc...

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I wish there was less “paperwork” / regulations for special education – I know how it evolved and understand that it is necessary to make sure children’s special needs are met and is THE accountability piece but wish there was more “trust” that each and every child’s needs are being met.  State assessments are typically a difficult time for special education teachers and students as they are “rigid” because of the very nature of the tests.  Funding, especially for special education, is always a “hot topic” and like with funding of many tax supported programs, there is never enough to go around.

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If you could choose another career field, would you? Please explain your answer in detail

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If you could choose another career field, would you? Please explain your answer in detail

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Well, since I’ve continued in this profession for over 40 years, and have not chosen another career field, this really is a moot point for me now.  Other careers I’ve considered over the course of time but never pursued because the field of education is MY PASSION were nursing, counseling, or stay-at-home mom/grandma.  I decided in 4th grade I wanted to be a teacher, deviated from that as a senior in high school and freshman in college. I started in chemical engineering because in the late 70s there was a strong push for females who enjoyed math and science to enter the STEM field. But within one semester realized I wanted to spend my days with children teaching.  I appreciate the field of education because there are many areas to experience – different contents, different ages, different “spectrums” from gifted to regular to special education, different cultures, different settings (small schools, bigger schools, etc) , even administration and curriculum, so I do feel if a person is interested and/or has a talent for teaching there are many, many ways to get involved and find a special “niche”!

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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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Not at this time.  I do want to wish you well, Ciera!  The world needs teachers with passion, vision, and dedication which seems to sum up your zest for this field!

PS I do think technology, while sometimes a curse, overall, is a huge blessing in education.  I (not fondly) recall the days of searching for just the right resources, hand recording and calculating grades, etc and here we are now, using technology to make things easier in so many ways.