Teacher Interview by Adriana Diaz-Serrato

How many years have you been teaching special needs children?

adiazserrato — 2025-04-18 17:33:50 UTC

Ms. Mira said she has been a special ED teacher for seven years

What made you choose the teaching profession and, in particular, teaching special needs children?

adiazserrato — 2025-04-18 17:37:17 UTC

Before teaching was a teacher for regular classroom setting, left and had children. When coming back to teaching, decided to teach smaller classroom settings. Dad was dyslexic and wished he had the help there is now for dyslexic students. Also enjoys the subject of reading.

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?

adiazserrato — 2025-04-18 17:38:52 UTC

Says decoding is a game changer. Over the years for new students and teachers, there are new ways to make teaching strategies easier, for students and teachers.

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?

adiazserrato — 2025-04-18 17:42:38 UTC

Says that teaching students with special needs is different, in the way they either quickly respond, or don't respond at all. She says, "the processing of what I say, takes longer for them to respond or react to". Something that makes Ms. Mira feel rewarded about her job as a teacher is making students feel confident, and seeing their progress, where they started to where they ended.

What advice can you give me for teaching children with special needs in the regular education classroom?

adiazserrato — 2025-04-18 17:43:27 UTC

The advise she gave me was that smaller groups are better when students are struggling.

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…

adiazserrato — 2025-04-18 17:45:35 UTC

The changes Ms. Mira would make if she could would be to not have anything be timed. She also said have smaller class sizes, rather than big classes. As well as having a way for students to be able to get out of being considered "special ed".

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

adiazserrato — 2025-04-18 17:47:41 UTC

Ms. Mira has contemplated what she would do if she was not a teacher, but stays in a classroom. She says something she really enjoys doing is learning games for teachers in the classroom for students. Being a graphic designer and making games for teachers easier. She makes her own games and uses them in her classroom.

Comments

adiazserrato — 2025-04-18 17:49:53 UTC

Ms. Mira says that she felt very proud of one of her friends daughters. She began to tutor her as a younger girl because she has trouble learning certain things. She says that seeing her progress and need her help less and less over the years makes her feel happy. When she does need her help she is always there to help.