Imagine for a moment being in High School and being at the same academic and social level that you were when you were in the third or fourth grade.  Can you imagine not being able to memorize basic information like your address, phone number, or how to spell your last name?  While this may seem like a tragic fictional story, it is purely non-fictional and thousands of students across the country face these problems.  While traditionally special needs students were separated into special education classes, more and more they are being mainstreamed into regular classroom settings.  Because of this growing trend it is important now more then ever that every educator become well-informed about special education.  I feel that there are some important things I can do as a future educator to ensure  the success of all of my future students, including those that have special needs.  By collaborating with other teachers, continuing my education in disabilities and special education, and making sure I meet the specific needs of each child I feel I will be a successful teacher rather in a special education or general education setting.

Collaboration between educators is an outstanding concept that should be used in all classrooms with special needs students.  While it will work very well for students with special needs, I can see it being a useful tool in helping any student or any teacher in any classroom.  I believe that collaboration helps to not only raise a students self esteem, but also helps a teacher feel less alone and isolated in the classroom.  I also believe that collaboration will be a helpful tool for my future classroom because it will increase the amount of help I can offer to all of my students.  Collaborations model goal is to meet everyone’s educational needs.  Because of this I believe that by implementing collaboration in my classroom I can help my students regardless of if they are labeled disabled or not.  By using collaboration, when available, in my future classroom I can help raise student self esteem, offer more help in my classroom, and help all student regardless of their needs.

            With the advances in the fields of modern medicine and technology, the understanding of disabilities and special education is ever-changing.  Because of this constant change I feel it is imperative that, as an educator, I continue my education and keep current on new findings and research.  Even if I am not teaching in a specifically special education classroom, there is a good chance I will have a special needs student in my classroom.  I feel as an educator it would unfair towards that student to not have a basic idea of their disability and what I can do to help them.  I will attend any conferences that are available for special education and disabilities.  I will also be as involved as I can with any IEP process and make sure that I stay current on new standards, laws, and changes regarding the process. 

Children, teens, and adult alike all have one thing in common, the basic need for acceptance, respect, and patience.  It is important, as a future educator, that I can offer those basic needs to all my students, whether they have a specific disability or not.  However, it is crucial for the success of any student who has special needs that I make sure I am always meeting all of their specific needs.  Rather I am in a special education classroom or a regular education classroom, I feel that it is also my duty to understand how each of my students learn, and use that knowledge to help each student excel.  I plan on using that knowledge and preparing lessons that appeal to all types of learning styles and disabilities.  I must strive to make sure my students understand that as their teacher I am there to help them succeed in any way I can.  My students must be aware that I do believe they can accomplish and succeed at anything they put their minds to.  They must know that they can succeed and by making sure that their basic needs are met in my classroom I believe they can succeed.

            Whether I decide to teach special education only or not, it is crucial that I make sure I am prepared for any student that may walk through my door.  By collaborating with other teachers, continuing my education in disabilities and special education, and making sure I meet the specific needs of each child I feel I will be ready to educate any student.  While this will be a difficult task, I feel that it is my most important responsibility.  I feel that it should only be required of me, as a teacher. 

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