Field Experiece- Interviews by https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3 1st Grade special education teacher & employment advisor for the Drexel University autism support program en-us 2021-08-17 03:16:02 UTC 2024-10-17 08:50:51 UTC hello@padlet.com My first Interview was with a 1st grade special education teacher "Ms. M", she teaches in an autistic support classroom and is entering her fourth year teaching. I sent my questions ahead of time and broke them into three categories: Background, Curriculum & instructional strategies, and, school culture. I will share my list of questions and highlight some of the key moments from the interview. rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1681481417 2021-08-17 03:36:55 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1681481417 rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1681490030 2021-08-17 03:42:42 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1681490030 Peer- reviewed paper about peer-mediated interventions rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1681506020 2021-08-17 03:53:24 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1681506020 Background questions rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1681514967 2021-08-17 03:59:58 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1681514967 Instructional Strategies and Curriculum questions rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1681520031 2021-08-17 04:03:46 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1681520031 School culture/ community questions rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1681526859 2021-08-17 04:09:12 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1681526859 rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1681556744 2021-08-17 04:32:31 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1681556744 Safety Care Training website rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1681588840 Safety care training came up in our interview, not everyone who interacts with the children have this training so if an behavioral event occurs a person who is certified must stay and deescalate the event. While this happens a Para must take over for the classroom teacher. It seems to me, that somehow there should be a larger percentage of training happening with support staff.]]> 2021-08-17 04:58:53 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1681588840 What inspired you to become a special education teacher? "I always wanted to be a teacher, as an undergrad I was in the process of getting certified to teach general education and special education, my student teaching experience in an autistic support classroom was terrific and I knew that was the place for me." rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683221724

]]> 2021-08-18 02:07:28 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683221724 What is your favorite part of teaching in Autistic support? "With the small class sizes you really develop relationships with your students, I enjoy building communication and self help skills into my curriculum, and find satisfaction in teaching the whole child." rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683229343 2021-08-18 02:11:52 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683229343 What do you hope for yourself and your students 15 years from now? " I hope to be still teaching autistic support, maybe I would like to do something with my Wilson Reading program certification or try being an adjunct professor. For my students I hope for them independence and to become good people." rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683237521 2021-08-18 02:16:40 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683237521 What EBP's do you use in your classroom? "I utilize a variety of evidence based practices, I find video modeling and social stories make concepts concrete and sets the expectation for behavior. TEACCH, addressing the physical space and lots of visuals make the classroom run smoother and transitions easier. My favorite is Peer Mediated strategies, this approach is great for teaching resiliency and natural social experiences." rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683254286 2021-08-18 02:26:00 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683254286 What do you find a less effective strategy? " I find ABA to be a one size fits all approach that has serious limitations. I am not specifically trained in ABA, we have BCBA's and ABA therapist that push in to the classroom and while I do use reinforcement and I like the structure, I find the methods often to textbook and not individualized enough." rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683263718 2021-08-18 02:31:26 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683263718 How do you collaborate with the Paras and various other supports in the classroom? what is your communication method? " When I begin working with a Para or 1:1, we meet and I show them a manual that I have prepared with an overview of ASD and special education, we meet in the morning daily to discuss the day and I will often model the ways they should be interacting with the students. The various services that come into my classroom I meet with often and they will come in to support specific students or moments in activities. We work together. If there is a problem with a staff member that can not be resolved by conversation, the principle with step in. Recently I had a 1:1 who was refusing to wear a mask, This was a case where after several conversations the principle needed to intervene." rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683280074 2021-08-18 02:40:49 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683280074 What would you change if you could about special education today? (your school, Pa. America) " I believe it would be better for many of my students if there was an alternative curriculum available, for the students who cannot access it with supports. I would like to see more parent involvement. In my school there is not a co-teaching model, and while my students are included in gym class, specials, assemblies, and lunch, I really would like to see opportunities for them to be included in other academic courses like math and literacy." rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683299400 2021-08-18 02:51:11 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683299400 Do you feel supported by your superiors and district? "yes, I feel supported. They listen." In this part we did spin off into talking about the challenges of the pandemic, it's stress and we noted that in the beginning teachers were hero's and then suddenly attitude switched (by some) and the demand for them to come back to school shifted the perspective. rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683307385 2021-08-18 02:55:55 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683307385 How do you manage self-care or prevention from burnout? Does your school support you in these areas? "I've learned to do my work at work, early when I arrive. I no longer take work home with me. I also enjoy going to the gym." "The school district doesn't do anything to support self-care that I am aware of." rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683313554 2021-08-18 02:59:42 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683313554 From my interview with Ms. M, her emphasis on peer mediated interventions had me curious to learn more. Post interview, that's where my research focused. Research about Peer relationships in the classroom environment also connects to my next interview which focuses on college and work environments, spoiler alert, positive peer relationships are huge assets in these arenas. rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683321910 2021-08-18 03:05:16 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683321910 My second interview was with Ms. P, a woman who's career was spent working in the computer science field at large companies, including SAP, and teaching Computer science curriculum at Universities. For Ms. P Autism is personal, over 20 years ago her twin nephews were diagnosed with ASD, since then she has been involved with organizations, served on boards, and advocated for better lives for people on the spectrum. For this interview I focused on her involvement in the SAP Autism at Work program and her position at Drexel University. Because of her varied experiences I choose to research the programs ahead of our interview and let the conversation flow. The questions and thoughts I will post are what came from our conversation. rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683397175 2021-08-18 03:52:37 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683397175 SAP Autism at Work Program rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683406602 This is a well produced look at the SAP program, it will give you an idea of the companies support of the program, what type of person it supports, and it's larger impact to the success and culture of the company]]> 2021-08-18 03:59:44 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683406602 rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683417055
Ms.P did not spend a lot of the interview on the SAP program, this video above gives a great overview. From our conversations I think she finds more interest in building relationships and opportunities with smaller local companies who will open doors for a larger portion of the population. There are only so many SAP's and Microsoft's in the world, compared to the employers in your local community. ]]> 2021-08-18 04:07:01 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683417055 Workplace inclusion now rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683427049 This program also came up in our conversation. It's a program that connects and supports the employment of Autistic adults.]]> 2021-08-18 04:12:18 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683427049 rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683443601 2021-08-18 04:24:35 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683443601 rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683459128 Currently, Ms.P works at Drexel University as the employment advisor for the Autism support program. Drexel's program originally started in 2008, stopped, and was re-initiated in 2018. The program originally started with a focus on life skills and about two years ago shifted to employment. Currently Ms. P has about 60 students to coach on issues of employment and managing their schedules related to school.]]> 2021-08-18 04:35:18 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683459128 Does the student sign up for your program or are they assigned? "Drexel's program is neurodiverse support, the student signs up and there is no need for a formal diagnosis." other programs in the area have different qualities, West Chester U has a program that facilitates social events monthly and a student run store where real life experiences are worked on. Kinney Center's support program functions more like a 1:1 support for students in classes. Both programs require a diagnosis to be eligible. rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683470882 2021-08-18 04:43:12 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683470882 What are the problems at work? "it's never the work, it's not showing up or missing meetings (not socially understanding the protocol of calling out sick/ feeling like they aren't being called on in meetings so therefore it's not necessary they attend) rigid behavior, interrupting others, poor task initiation." rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683477122 2021-08-18 04:47:42 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683477122 rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683485835 What would be beneficial to younger students to prepare for the work place? " find what they like doing, it's the key to success. Find employment opportunity for them when they are in high school so they can learn the basics of how to be an employee." she also expressed the importance of employers taking risk on hiring autistic kids and more peer exposure. We talked about how people with disabilities are more part of the community than they were in previous eras, and also the rapid rising rate of diagnosis and how it is dire that we find opportunities for these young adults.]]> 2021-08-18 04:53:54 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683485835 rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683508341 What I learned from both of these interviews is that an environment that is adapted for the student or employee is important to maximize the potential for success doing the job or task, and building Peer social communications and understanding is absolutely key for inclusion at the work place and it all starts with the classrooms. I'm going to leave the presentation on a light note, the friendship between Sam and Zahid from the Netflix series Atypical and Julia from Sesame Street. Friendship is important for everyone and kids on the spectrum have really bad statistics when it comes to issues of loneliness and depression. Media depictions can be tricky, I personally find these positive, I mean no offense if you feel differently.]]> 2021-08-18 05:08:12 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683508341 rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683521594 2021-08-18 05:16:45 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683521594 rmemckelvey https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683531386 2021-08-18 05:22:39 UTC https://padlet.com/rmemckelvey/er2qlke74477gyv3/wish/1683531386