Sample- Student Teaching Special Needs Students in Harrisonburg, VA
By: TA Hayden Hicks
Embedded Files
Learning Objectives
by the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
1.understand how Special Education differs from General Education.
2a.understand what a Student Teacher is and what the role entails.
2b. understand the ways student-teaching has shifted for Special Education.
Introduction
The 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic has been an adjustment for everyone in society, nurses, doctors, parents, students, and educators. All educators, from Art Educators to Special Educators have had to adjust their instruction to fit better in a virtual learning context. Since Special Education helps so many students with varying disabilities, they have had to learn how to bring classroom accommodations to the home.
Basic Information about Special Education
What is a Student Teacher?
According to Dictionary.com, a student teacher is a "a student who is studying to be a teacher and who, as part of the training, observes classroom instruction or does closely supervised teaching in an elementary or secondary school."
Student Teachers usually student teach in the age category or specialty they plan to teach in, but it is not always guaranteed. Prior to popular opinion student teaching is not just observation of the classroom. Student Teaching is when teacher candidates begin to do several "Teacher" tasks including:
*creating various lesson plans and presenting those lessons to the class
*grading assignments, assessments, and giving feedback to students
*aiding in classroom management and with student conflicts
*helping the teacher with basic day to day task
Special Education Student Teacher Interview
James Madison University graduate student, Schuyler Hicks, never thought a global pandemic would interfere with her student teaching. However, in March of 2020, that exact thing became a reality. "I was always convinced with would be over my the fall, so I could be in the classroom interacting with the students. (S. Hicks, personal communication, January 19, 2021)" Even though special needs instructors and multiple special needs students are in the school, Schuyler student-teaches from her apartment in Harrisonburg, VA. Schuyler embodies what all student teachers should be, dedicated, hard-working, and always has a positive attitude. I know this, because Schuyler Hicks is my big sister. Student Teaching requires her to wake up early and stay up late working on lessons and collaborating with teachers.
My interview with Schuyler opened my eyes to a lot of different things not only student teachers and educators are doing differently during the pandemic, but specifically what Special Education student teachers and educators are doing during the pandemic. Below I shared the three major takeaways from our interview.
Multiple Choice Questions
How many types of disabilities does the IDEA protect?
A. 5
B. 36
C. 18
D. 13
What has been more difficult, due to the pandemic for a special education student-teacher?
A. Grading papers
B. Building a report with students
C. Gossiping with Co-Workers
D. Having recess
Conclusion
Student Teaching, like all things in the Pandemic, have adjusted greatly. As I have previously stated several times that this Pandemic has created a shift for everyone, including our students. Regardless of ability, it is our job as educators and student teachers to help our students with this large change in our daily routines. Overall, I think keeping a positive attitude and keeping our students best interest in mind can help to make this Pandemic a smoother time for both our educators, students, parents, and student-teachers.
Works Cited
“About IDEA.” Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, sites.ed.gov/idea/about-idea/.
S. Hicks, personal communication, January 19, 2021
“Special Needs.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/special%20needs.
“Specific Learning Disability (SLD).” CDE, www.cde.state.co.us/cdesped/sd-sld.
“Student Teacher.” Dictionary.com, Dictionary.com, www.dictionary.com/browse/student-teacher.
Team, The Understood. “Understanding Special Education.” Understood, Understood, 29 Jan. 2021, www.understood.org/en/school-learning/special-services/special-education-basics/understanding-special-education#Who_qualifies_for_special_education?
Team, The Understood. “Understanding Special Education.” Understood, Understood, 29 Jan. 2021, www.understood.org/en/school-learning/special-services/special-education-basics/understanding-special-education.
Answers to Multiple Choice Questions
1.D
2.B
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