1. What do these concepts mean to you? What words, ideas, images etc. come to mind?
1.1. Special Education
1.1.1. To me, special education means creating differential learning opportunities for students with special learning needs.
1.1.2. Special education is often designed for students with mental or physical disabilities. Common examples include impaired vision, reduced mobility, ADHD, dyslexia.
1.1.3. Words/ideas/images that come to mind: 1-on-1 support, low teacher to student ratio, adapted activites, differentiated learning, differentiated assessment
1.2. Mental Health
1.2.1. To me, mental health means taking care of one's emotional and psychological mental state. Feeling valued and confident in one's own self-worth.
1.2.2. I think mental health is heavily tied to physical health. To take care of one's mind, you must first take care of one's body. Getting good sleep and nutrition is key to good physical health AND mental health.
1.2.3. Words/ideas/images that come to mind: friends, family, social circle, interpersonal relationships, inner monologues, view of self, self-worth, self-confidence.
2. What prior experiences have you had that have shaped your understandings, beliefs, and attitudes about special education / mental health?
2.1. Special Education
2.1.1. During my previous teaching experiences, I saw students with IEPs receiving accomodations for written assessments such as getting extra time. During my first practicum, I observed a spec-ed science class, where the tasks, activities and language were simplified. The class had a low teacher to student ratio and an adult helper. The students did not like to sit at their desk for long periods of time; they liked to get up and walk around. I also volunteered with a non profit organization that provided programming to young adults with special needs.
2.1.2. My understanding is that special education provides additional help/support to individuals with special needs so that they can succeed at the same tasks in a different way.
2.2. Mental Health
2.2.1. In my personal experience, my mental health was negatively impacted during COVID when I was socially distanced from my friends and classmates. I also felt that my mental health sufferred when I was staying up too late at night and an irregular sleep schedule. My mental health declined when my physical health declined, when I stopped exercising, eating, or sleeping properly. My mental health was affected when I sacrificed other important areas of my life for the sake of studying and completing tasks by their deadline. I experienced stress and anxiety before major tests.
2.2.1.1. Right now, my mental health is good because I have a regular sleep schedule, I exercise regularly, and I socialize with other people often while playing sports. Also, since the MT program doesn't have exams, I don't feel as much academic stress as I used to during undergrad.
2.2.2. My understanding is that in order to maintain good mental health, you must have a balanced life that includes exercise, socialization, sleep, and healthy eating. If you sacrifice any of these aspects for school, then you will feel burned out quickly and break down both mentally and physically.