11/15

 I now have new goals, and new motivation to be involved in the lives of students with moderate to severe disabilities. I originally thought that I did not have the skills or patience to make a difference but now I feel like I could work in a self-contained class and do just fine. I would prefer inclusion and think that most of these student would do fine in an inclusion setting but still I think I would do fine.

I learned that these students are much more capable then most notice. I feel like the integration of technology and the efforts from good teachers can help mold these students into successful citizens. The students all have skills and when they are noticed for these skills they are motivated to do well and to progress to new limits. Overall I just have a much brighter outlook on this group of students then before.

From my experiences with Mila I realized that there are so many tools that are not being utilized. I also learned that sometimes patience means keeping with a routine and not expecting immediate results, but instead appreciating the experience the student is receiving. I also saw how when Mila did well her overall outlook and levels of happiness improved. It is so important to keep the morale up in a classroom, every student should have a chance to show what they can do and be proud of their efforts.

My experiences in Mrs. Turners room were not the best, but I still learned. I think that some teachers are good in their own way, I feel that others are just burnt out or not willing to put in the same effort. I saw students in a room full of opportunities watching movies and goofing off when they could have been learning. I will make sure as a teacher that I will not make the same mistakes or become lazy. If I need to do testing to that level I will demand a sub, or design a lesson which allows students to learn from a movie that is related to the course content.

I have grown greatly from the hands on, one to one contact with the students. I have had chances to work with students who have talents unseen by the teachers. I have also made a realization that I am going to have to up the ante when I come in as a teacher. These teachers have their skills but they could be doing much more to increase the chances of success for their students.

Today I really went out to work on my outreach project and to see what is left for us to do. I decided to do this because Mrs. Turner was bringing the kids out to play basketball and to get ready for some tournament. I took turns playing a little with them and also looking at the project ahead of me. After taking some notes about the grounds I went back to playing basketball.

One student was amazing, he could shoot from almost anywhere on the court and land a shot. I hope so much that he can progress through school, improve his grades, and make it onto a college team. He was one talented young man.

This again relates to how we need to address transitioning to college also. These students do not even think they will ever have a job let alone go to college. In our class we discussed different programs that allow students even those with disabilities to get somewhat of a college experience. Also when looking up collaboration with the community for another class I saw how much of a difference painting the lines on the basketball court will make.