13) Reflection

Reflections on Special Education Part 2:       I have made many connections between theory and classroom practice. The resources that were shared, the philosophy and strategies that were discussed are all things that I wish I knew right at the beginning of the year. I was told the one great asset a teacher can have is to be a reflective practitioner. I started in a new school with a new multi-subject job, DL, Music grade 1-5, and other resource and prep throughout the school. The first month or two I was just keeping my head above water. However, I got into my grove and was able to make some great activities and connections with the students I teach. When I started this course I was able to hit a reset button in a sense to really think about how I am doing with the students I teach. Especially with the DL students. I found ways to curb behavior and challenges and redirect students into interesting tasks or meaningful discussion with one another.            When I began this course I was hoping to get some better ideas of how to deal with students with challenging behaviours. I think the epiphany is really that there isn’t one method that works in every case. Our positions as teachers and educators inherently has us working with students with varying needs. Sometimes these needs manifest themselves as unwanted or distracting behaviour. Finding ways to redirect, inspire, listen, and track students is something that will be ongoing throughout the year. Some things work and some things don’t. I think the course gave me a bit of a reset in some of the frustrations that I had with students and reminded me to get at the root causes of those behaviours.  I also feel that I learned a lot about the resources available for students with special needs and my specific role as a teacher who works with them. Going into IPRCS and Transition planning was much more smooth because the course prepared me for these aspects of my job. I will continue to find resources, talk with colleagues and administrations, seek out professional learning opportunities to help me become the best teacher that I can be.