1. Teaching Diverse Students 

Understanding Unique Differences

1D) understands the impact of cognitive, emotional, physical, and sensory disabilities on learning and communication pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act 

This connects to standard 1D by learning about a disability to understand unique differences while being conscious of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act. I studied visual impairment and how it can affect one's daily life. I have learned what characteristics might be present within this impairment and how to help any student in my classroom if this is apparent. As a teacher, it is important to be able to plan lessons that will accommodate all student's skills and needs.  I have learned the importance of reading and understanding all students' IEPS within my classroom so that I can make accommodations or modifications that best fit my needs. 

Understanding Each Student's Capabilities

1B) understands how each student constructs knowledge, acquires skills, and develops effective and efficient critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities;

During the Introduction to Exceptional Children, EDCU 216 course, I was given a disability to focus my study on. This specific paper required me to go beyond learning what visual impairment is and mainly focus on teaching strategies, accommodations, and modifications that can be provided to give these students the proper learning environment.

This particular artifact aligns with Standard 1, Teaching Diverse Students. This paper helped me meet this standard by teaching me various ways to teach better and support students with disabilities. By becoming more informed on research-based practices, I can learn about how students with vision impairments learn best in the classroom and, therefore, help them to the best of my ability.