8. Collaborative relationships 

I interviewed a family that I know very well, the family has a 25-year-old son with a Speech Impairment and Behavioral disorder. I talked to the mom about her experience with IEP meetings and special education programs her son was involved in. Through this interview, I am now aware of the "concerns of families of students with disabilities" and I understand "appropriate strategies to collaborate with students and their families in addressing these concerns" (8H). Families have a say in their student's IEP and LRE placement, it is important for everyone on the IEP team to ask the parents/guardians if they have any concerns or questions. I learned that the family had a bad experience with a school that wouldn't provide an IEP to their son unless he was diagnosed with Autism or PDD. I understand why that would make the parents upset, I want to stand up for all of my students and get them the support and services they need to succeed!   

This is an outline of weekly lesson plans that I co-taught with the 6th grade Reading teacher and ELA teacher.  We talked the week before about the lessons and how I could help in the classroom. Through my discussion with the teachers, I learned "effective co-planning and co-teaching techniques to deliver instruction to each student" (8N). This was my first-time co-teaching, and it was a great learning experience!  I learned that there are many things that a co-teacher can do in the classroom such as, work one-on-one with a student, work with a small group and teach examples for the lesson. Co-teaching is an important role in the classroom because you help the students build their understanding. It was fun talking with the 6th grade team and getting advice from them that I will continue to use in my future teaching!