“Children are the promise of the future. They are the future themselves” (George Albert Smith). This truth places an enormous responsibility on the teachers of America, and the vast amount of special need students in today’s education system increases this challenge and responsibility.  Spread through classrooms across America are students with learning disabilities, hearing loss, mental retardation, behavior disorders, blindness, and other special needs.  There are many adaptations that teachers need to make in order for these students to succeed.  Through my experiences in the classroom as a student and as an educator, I have seen the enormous differences a teacher can make in their special needs student’s lives.  It is through these experiences that I have constructed my teaching philosophy of special needs students in the classroom.  I believe that a great amount of a special needs student’s success is based upon their teacher and the action that they have taken towards their students’ disabilities.  

Graphic:  http://www.dodea.edu/instruction/curriculum/special_ed/

One of the most important actions that I will take in educating my special needs students is equity pedagogy for all.  Regardless of each child’s personal disabilities, they are entitled to an equal opportunity to learn and develop in school.  I understand that in doing this I will need to make various adaptations to my classroom curriculum.  I will take the time to customize assignments to their needs and assign peer buddies to help where appropriate.  When a child is struggling, I will meet with them individually and offer after school tutoring so that they will better understand the content.

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Through research, I have come to understand that learning disabilities are the most prevalent form of special needs and that no two Learning Disabled students have the same disabilities.  Though it is impossible for me to fully comprehend each of my Learning Disabled students, I will do my best to discover what challenges and strengths each of them posses.  When working with these students and any other special needs students, I know that I will need to individualize my assignments for each of them, so I will regularly work with them one-on-one in order to be better aware of their abilities.

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Classroom atmosphere can make a huge difference in an exceptional learner’s success as well.  In my future classroom, I will make all the necessary adaptations to my classroom so that the environment will be a comfortable classroom environment to all.  One way I will do this is by creating an environment that welcomes learning.  To do this I will keep my classroom neat and orderly because I want my students to be able to focus on content, not on clutter.  In my classroom, I will also hold high expectations of respect for all of my students, special needs or not.  Therefore, there will be an atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable as possible with themselves and their abilities.  I will apply a zero tolerance rule for any discourtesy towards exceptional learners from the first day of school so that my classroom will invite differences and encourage respect. 

Graphic:  http://www.scc.rutgers.edu/

When working with special needs students, I need to fully understand their personal disabilities to the best of my ability.  This will be a huge contributor to adapting to my special needs students.  I believe that the most effective way to do this is through collaboration.  Collaboration must take place among everyone who is involved in the child’s academic success.  I will communicate with my students other educational and resource teachers on a regular basis.  In addition, I will meet with the therapists and counselors who assist in my students’ success.  Most importantly, I will frequently communicate with my students’ parents, for I believe that parent/teacher communication is key to an exceptional learner’s success.  With effective parent/teacher communication, what is being worked on in the classroom can transferred into the home.  As collaboration occurs, my special needs students will be more successful and grow closer towards their goals.

Graphic:  http://www.uwec.edu/grayca/horizon/Take%20a%20Tour/images/teacher%20collaboration.jpg

When teaching special needs students, IEP’s and 504 plans need to be created and addressed as well.  I believe that these forms of creating goals and expectations for exceptional learners is one major way for educators, school administrators, students, parents, therapists, and other important contributors to a special needs students success to all be equally aware of a child’s disability and how to confront it.  In order for these plans to be effective, however, I understand that IEP’s and 504 Plans need to be looked over and addressed frequently.  When I am a teacher, I will review each of my students IEP’s and 504 Plans regularly.  Doing this will remind me the educational plans and goals for my special need student’s.  It will assist me in customizing classroom assignments or them, as well as prompt my memory of my students’ educational goals.  As I review my students IEP’s and 504 Plans, I will be reminded of their individual needs as a student and be able to address them more efficiently.  The more aware I am of my students’ needs, the better I can address them.

Graphic:  http://www.aspira.org/images/studying%20copy.jpg

Sadly, no matter what I do for my students, they will suffer some degree of failure.  I am aware that this can result to learned helplessness.  I believe, however, that it is my responsibility to do all I can to awake my students who are suffering from learned helplessness to a world of success.  To do this, I will create a reward system to encourage motivation if necessary.  I will point out all of my student’s successes as well, so that my students can see what areas they are successful in.  I believe that a child should hear more praises than criticisms, so I will praise my students as often as I can.  To ensure that my students see some academic success, I will assign them work that is in their achievement level and spend extra time working with them so that they will be able to bloom to their fullest potential.

Graphic: http://www.quintaterra.org/images

I believe that as an educator, it is not only my responsibility to teach my student’s academics, but also social and life skills.  I understand that students with special needs require this aspect of education more than regular education students.  Therefore, I will provide as many opportunities as I can for my special needs students to work with their peers so that they can flourish socially.  I will assign them buddies for classroom work that they will need extra guidance on and apply a zero tolerance rule for disrespect towards other students.  I know that as I do this, my special needs students and their peers will develop unique bonds with each other, an important part to a special needs student’s success. In addition, I will add assignments into the curriculum of my special needs student’s that focus on life skills.  If I do this, I will prepare my students not only in academics, but in day to day experiences as well.

Students with special needs face many challenges in life, especially in the classroom.  It is my goal to create as many successes as I can for my exceptional learners.  My philosophy of education for special needs students focuses mainly on creating these successes. As I have the opportunity to work with special needs students, my philosophy will change and adapt based on experience, but the core concepts will remain.  I know that it is my responsibility to assist my students in discovering their best self, which is what they need, deserve, and can be given through my educational influence.

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