https://padlet.com/taylorjwalker97/zk70ltl6gld8 Taylor Walker Introduction to Special Education Fall 2017 en-us 2017-10-18 20:46:32 UTC 2026-03-19 00:15:44 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Send.png taylorjwalker97 https://padlet.com/taylorjwalker97/zk70ltl6gld8/wish/198458921 I worked with students of varying needs, including several with Autism Spectrum Disorders, several with reading disorders, a girl with physical and intellectual disabilities, and more.]]> 2017-10-18 20:48:52 UTC https://padlet.com/taylorjwalker97/zk70ltl6gld8/wish/198458921 taylorjwalker97 https://padlet.com/taylorjwalker97/zk70ltl6gld8/wish/198462664
The classroom I spent my time in is a set apart special education room in which students are brought to and from throughout the day to work on the subjects they need assistance in. 
In the classroom, there are two teachers -- Mrs. Carrell, whom I observed and works with K-3, and Mrs. Chavana, who works with 4th and 5th graders. 
Many of their students come to the classroom for their MTSS time or math, reading, etc., or they go to a classroom to help their students. For example, Mrs. Carrell co-teaches first grade math with one class because she has five special needs students in that classroom.

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The classroom possesses a flexible seating style, with U-shaped tables (teacher in center, surrounded by students) with chairs and exercise balls, wobble stools, bean bags, lounge chairs and standing desks with little stands the students can stand on and rock back and forth. 
The environment is very relaxed, with the intention that the students feel safe and comfortable while receiving the help they need. ]]> 2017-10-18 21:11:29 UTC https://padlet.com/taylorjwalker97/zk70ltl6gld8/wish/198464577 taylorjwalker97 https://padlet.com/taylorjwalker97/zk70ltl6gld8/wish/198468309
I was able to witness firsthand the success of well-developed strategies targeted to individual students needs. 
For example, one student -- a precious third grade girl -- is on the autism spectrum and struggles severely with math. They have found that she is able to complete simple addition problems with help of having a printed number line for reference. Mrs. Carrell showed me two identical timed tests the student took -- one with a number line and one without; on the test without the number line, not one answer was correct. On the second, nearly every one was correct -- and if the ones that were incorrect were pointed out to her, she was able to immediately recognize her mistake with the aid of the number line.  ]]> 2017-10-18 21:29:40 UTC https://padlet.com/taylorjwalker97/zk70ltl6gld8/wish/198468309 taylorjwalker97 https://padlet.com/taylorjwalker97/zk70ltl6gld8/wish/198470537
I aspire and am planning on studying to become a special education teacher, so the opportunity to do these observations and spend more time in the special education classroom makes my heart happy. 
I loved my time in Mrs. Carrell's classroom -- she is a great teacher and mentor whom I trust will be very important to me as I continue in my education. I love the comfortable setting of the class, the focus on a positive mindset, and every interaction I was able to observe and personally have with each student.  
Special Education is not an easy field to go in to -- and people definitely feel the need to remind me of that anytime I tell someone what I want to be "when I grow up." But times like this, time I'm able to spend in the classroom with students and learning from teachers and paras brings me confidence and reassurance that this is where I want to be. I love the way special needs student's minds work -- I love the chances to touch their lives in a way only you can, to break down walls and help build them up to live from their capabilities and not their disabilities. 


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