Special Education

1. Collaboration and Teamwork

1.1. As a new teacher, I thrive and grow off working with other teacher in my grade level and subject!

1.2. My school currently uses Professional Learning Communities (PLC). My PLC meets three times a week to plan, analyze data, and discuss ways to improve. We all use the same lesson plans to ensure all students are on a similar page.

1.3. While fellow PLC members may teach honors or gifted, we administer the same test, as the SOL will be the same in May. This gives me, as the special education teacher, an idea of where my students are in relation to the non-disabled peers.

1.4. Inclusion and collaboration call for teamwork. Teacher's of all levels of experience have many ideas to share. Teachers in the inclusion setting have to be open minded in working with another professional.

2. Personal Philosophy

2.1. All students, regardless of disability have the unalienable right to be given the tools to succeed.

2.2. Just because one method did not work for one of my students, doesn't mean it won't work for another.

2.3. My journey as an educator, and more specifically a special educator, is a never ending call for learning new things. I must constantly be searching for new ways of doing things and staying up to date with all that is special education law.

3. Professional Responsibilities and Ethics

3.1. Each student and family I work are entitled to rights. All students receiving special education services have the right to a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment.

3.2. It is my responsibility to ensure all services and accommodations are being implemented, and implemented correctly by all responsible educators involved with the child's education

3.3. When ensuring all needs are being met, I may have to have serious conversations with coworkers who are not in compliance. While this can be uncomfortable, I have an obligation to the child to ensure everything is being performed correctly.