Special Education Teacher Interview by Kara Washington https://padlet.com/kathomas_12/ifhjdcgic6x0 Mrs. Carissa Schaef, Interrelated Special Education at Enders Stem and Leadership Magnet en-us 2018-03-09 19:14:10 UTC 2025-09-24 17:11:21 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-uploads.storage.googleapis.com/262841401/ad08a79d43932bdc7a9221dcc70c06a1/image001.png How long have you been teaching special needs children? kathomas_12 https://padlet.com/kathomas_12/ifhjdcgic6x0/wish/240332404 "This is my tenth year of teaching and 7th year working with special education students."]]> 2018-03-09 19:21:24 UTC https://padlet.com/kathomas_12/ifhjdcgic6x0/wish/240332404 What made you choose the teaching profession and, in particular, teaching special needs children? kathomas_12 https://padlet.com/kathomas_12/ifhjdcgic6x0/wish/240332916 "After working in the regular education classroom for three years I was wanting to go back for my masters degree and after interviewing at several schools I had applied to several interrelated special education jobs, and after interviewing with Greiffenstein Alternative Elementary here in Wichita and was explained the type of students who go there and what the goal for these students are (transitioning back to their base building) I wanted to be apart of their success."]]> 2018-03-09 19:22:25 UTC https://padlet.com/kathomas_12/ifhjdcgic6x0/wish/240332916 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? kathomas_12 https://padlet.com/kathomas_12/ifhjdcgic6x0/wish/240333141 "I would say that with each year I have more empathy for some of my students who I work with and interact with.  I have learned to pick my battles and build relationships with every student I see.  I may be the first person who says “Good Morning” to a child when I see them in the morning."]]> 2018-03-09 19:22:57 UTC https://padlet.com/kathomas_12/ifhjdcgic6x0/wish/240333141 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? kathomas_12 https://padlet.com/kathomas_12/ifhjdcgic6x0/wish/240333659 "They are similar.  I think it is how you approach any task.  If you are upbeat and present things in a way that shows value, they are more apt to want to work and learn.  All students need structures in place to help them be successful, and just because a student may not qualify for special education services, doesn’t necessarily mean that they will not need YOU to adapt to the way that they learn."]]> 2018-03-09 19:23:56 UTC https://padlet.com/kathomas_12/ifhjdcgic6x0/wish/240333659 What advice can you give me for teaching children with special needs in the regular education classroom? kathomas_12 https://padlet.com/kathomas_12/ifhjdcgic6x0/wish/240334191 "Read their accommodations page and have a good relationship with their IEP manager as well as their parents.  Keeping track of what accommodations they need to be successful so that way it can be included on their upcoming IEP. "]]> 2018-03-09 19:24:50 UTC https://padlet.com/kathomas_12/ifhjdcgic6x0/wish/240334191 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… kathomas_12 https://padlet.com/kathomas_12/ifhjdcgic6x0/wish/240335234 "Better psychological support for students who have trauma backgrounds.  There is no supports for buildings when you encounter students who are unable to make academic and behavioral gains due to not having proper supports in place.  In a perfect world every classroom would have a support person to help with monitoring student behavior, developing differentiated groups and scaffold instruction, and consistency. "]]> 2018-03-09 19:27:04 UTC https://padlet.com/kathomas_12/ifhjdcgic6x0/wish/240335234 If you could choose another career field, would you? Please explain your answer in detail. kathomas_12 https://padlet.com/kathomas_12/ifhjdcgic6x0/wish/240335827 "Probably not.  I have thought about this on days that have pushed me to the edge, but at the end of the day I enjoy the kids and the relationships I get to build with them.  I hope that I can change them for the better and that I am a bright spot in their elementary careers.  If I did get out of the classroom I would like to work more as a special education support person, but feel like this is a job that is more putting out “fires” and not truly getting into the classroom to help teachers."]]> 2018-03-09 19:28:17 UTC https://padlet.com/kathomas_12/ifhjdcgic6x0/wish/240335827 Are there any comments you wish to add to close this interview? kathomas_12 https://padlet.com/kathomas_12/ifhjdcgic6x0/wish/240336265 "Good luck with your endeavors! There will be harder years than others but the important thing is to remember is not to take things personally.  Usually when a kid is acting out, its’ because they are needing something from you…."]]> 2018-03-09 19:29:23 UTC https://padlet.com/kathomas_12/ifhjdcgic6x0/wish/240336265 Butler Letter kathomas_12 https://padlet.com/kathomas_12/ifhjdcgic6x0/wish/240359338 2018-03-09 20:26:05 UTC https://padlet.com/kathomas_12/ifhjdcgic6x0/wish/240359338