Another way to establish the learning needs of my students is to be an active member of the team that develops the Individual Education Plan (IEP).  The IEP is a plan that outlines the specific needs of the special education child.  Each special education student has an IEP and it is important that I understand how it works so that I can implement it in my classroom.  I believe that communicating with the IEP team is important because it allows everyone who works with a student an understanding of the student’s particular needs.  Working closely with school counselors, resource teachers and special education teachers allows me to provide the very best education for each student for whom an IEP is necessary. 

Of the people who are on the IEP team, I feel that communication with the parents is essential.  I will have daily reports for my special needs students so that parents can feel connected to their child’s school experience.  They will be able to praise their child from the good remarks I send home and they will be able to counsel or comfort their child when he or she has had a difficult day.  I understand that parents may often feel overwhelmed having a child with a disability or handicap.  I will strive to provide the best resources for my student’s parents.  Making sure they are familiar with programs like Respite Care can help parents cope with living day to day with a special needs child.  Arizona Early Intervention Program can aid parents in assessing their younger children’s development.  By being available to parents, I will be creating a team who is working toward the best needs of the child.

The IEP process and parental communication is one very good way to gain knowledge about each child’s particular disability or handicap.  While this provides a very good starting foundation, I feel that it is important for me continue researching my student’s needs.  I do not have to be an expert on Autism; however, if I have an Autistic child in my classroom, I will research as much as I can about the needs of the child.  In doing so, I will be gaining valuable insight to learning styles and modern teaching techniques.  By keeping up to date about the needs of my students, I will be able to provide them the most progressive and appropriate education possible.  

Creating a safe environment for my exceptional learners is essential.  By helping them build peer relationships, not only am I allowing the exceptional child to thrive, but I am opening a door of understanding for students without special needs.  Communicating with parents is important for all students, but crating a supportive team of parents, teachers and administrators, for an exceptional learner is essential.   Challenging my exceptional learners is important and by remaining up to date on current trends in teaching special education, I will be able to provide the very best of myself to my students.  Teaching the special needs child is not an easy job, however, it can be a rewarding experience for the child and the teacher if the teacher heeds Helen Keller’s sentiment.  If each teacher approaches teaching with the passion and determination of Annie Sullivan, we would all inspire ambition and success would be achieved.