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I think this class is giving future educators and those in people centered careers alike an opportunity to ensure that they have tools to meet everyone's needs in the classroom. Along with receiving tools I also hope that this class gives me and my peers the chance to step into the perspective of kids with special needs so that we can get a better understanding of their challenges.

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Do you have preconceived notions about Special Needs Learners? If so, what are they?

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Do you have preconceived notions about Special Needs Learners? If so, what are they?

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I do not have any preconceived notions that I am aware of. Before working in a school, I believed that special needs learners had to be in a separate room. After actually working alongside sped kids, I could see that the goal of the district is to not separate them from "regular ed" kids but instead to make sure that they have the support they need to remain in that class.

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What do you plan to do to be successful in this course?

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What do you plan to do to be successful in this course?

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To be successful in this course, I plan to soak up all the information I learn and apply it to my everyday job as a para to see what works for my students. I also am going to be working ahead as much as possible on the assignment side since I will be working full time and taking 12 credit hours this semester.

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What are your expectations for yourself as a student? As a future teacher?

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What are your expectations for yourself as a student? As a future teacher?

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As a student I expect myself to have a set schedule of assignments and to-dos done in advance for at least the upcoming month. I also expect myself to stay organized because I can be a very forgetful person and get overwhelmed easily. I have taken those weaknesses and found that as long as I have a detailed schedule of what needs to be done and when then I can be successful. Another way I stay on top of my work is by telling myself that an assignment is due a few days before it is actually due which is something that has also helped me personally.
Now as a teacher I expect myself to accept my failures and reflect on them rather than dwelling. Especially as I will be a first-year teacher I am conscious that I will not be perfect and to be perfect has never been and will never be my goal. When it comes to my future students I really want to make sure that my classroom is a safe place, as their home lives may be inconsistent or just downright not welcoming. I want my students to love to learn, to make mistakes, and to better themselves. As a para, I've witnessed the love for learning, especially in the older grades to be dissipating and want to see that fire be reborn in our future generation.

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Will the kind of student you are now reflect on the type of teacher you might become? Why or why not?

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Will the kind of student you are now reflect on the type of teacher you might become? Why or why not?

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I definitely believe that the type of student I am today will reflect on the type of teacher that I become. This is because I am not just a student but first I am a human so of course my mannerisms and such will transfer to my future career. A human that loves to learn and loves a challenge, not to say that they've beat the challenge but to learn and grow from it. I hope that the type of student that I am today will translate into my career as a teacher. I am a curious being with a love for putting myself in someone else's shoes. I can also see how my want to make everyone feel safe and welcomed could end up being a disadvantage in my teaching career. From my experience working within a title 1 school it can be emotionally draining to take in all of the kids' stories of trauma and family issues. I have heard unbelievable stories of abuse already just as a para. As a teacher if I do find my niche with a title 1 school, I will need to learn how to be an ear for my students but also learn to leave work at work which I think may be a struggle for me.

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What issues will you face in your journey to become a teacher? How can this class help you overcome these issues?

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What issues will you face in your journey to become a teacher? How can this class help you overcome these issues?

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Some issues that I believe I may face on my journey to becoming a teacher are my time management and my interview skills. I have never worked full time while also being a full-time student so I can understand how it could overwhelm me but I am doing everything in my power to make sure it doesn't break me. I think this class can help me with that by having engaging assignments and projects that keep me challenged so that I don't feel as though I'm just doing busywork.
Another challenge that I know I will face is actually interviewing and securing a classroom. This is something that I struggle with because I'm not quite sure how to convey my personality in such a short time frame. I want to show my future employer that not only am I qualified but I am the best suited to be in whatever position I pursue. Every interview that I have had I have gotten the job but I don't feel confident during or after any of them. I have anxiety so I like to plan ahead of what I'm going to say, to the point that if someone says something that goes off-script of the scenario I have practiced in my head, then I panic. I hope that this class can not teach me how to interview but, instead teach me more information that I will need in the future so that I am confident that I can convey myself appropriately.