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Name: Jennifer Yearout

School: Harry Street Elementary School

Grade: 5th grade

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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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For Jennifer, the reason why she chose teaching as a profession was, "I wanted to help young people and children". She continued to explain that she knew she wanted to serve and had a heart for helping kids who have those special needs.

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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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Jennifer has been a special education teacher for about 24 years.

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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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"Oh yes, I feel like especially after covid I have seen a huge change in teaching and children. Unfortunately, it does seem like children are becoming more and more disrespectful, which creates challenges. Also, over the years, working under different principals and admin have affected teaching for me." For the second part of this question, Jennifer explain that she felt like she romanticized teaching and special education, that she just thought it wouldnt be as mentally and emotionally draining as it is. However, she did explain that as hard as it can be, it is very rewarding and fulfilling. Especially, when you witness growth from the students.

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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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For Jennifer, she feels that it differs mostly from the level the students are on Vs. what the level the rest of their grade is on. This is because we have to make sure that students are mastering the foundations of a subject before adding on to it.

She explains that many challenges that she faces is behavior. That many of the students have high behaviors and that it can be difficult working with a child that is always screaming or misbehaving. However, it is "extremely rewarding watching students grow and test out of pull-out groups".

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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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"My biggest tip would be to not be afraid to ask questions and for help. Especially as a new teacher. That we can always help you combat issues or challenges and give you advice on how you can help a child".

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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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Jennifer expressed how funding is crucial and that all public education needs more funding just in general. She also touched on how she believes that state assessments are not an accurate representation on what the students know, since many students just click through the test.

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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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Jennifer explains that even though she has many complaints and sometimes feels burnout that she wouldn't leave education. She says, "It's my passion even in the highs and lows of it all". She also explains that there still are many things that she wants to be changes, but expresses that no job is going to be completely perfect and that you have to remain steadfast in the "why" that you are here.

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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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Jennifer did not add anything else.