Procedures and Services in Special Education

Do you know how many people are involved in making special education happen in the school?  Some of the people involved include:

• general education teacher
• special education teacher
• school psychologists
• speech/language therapists
• social workers
• paraprofessionals
• physical therapists
• occupational therapists
• sign language interpreter

All of these professionals and more are involved in making sure that special education is available for all students attending the school.

When I was attending high school I had no idea that all of these professionals worked at my school. I had some interaction with a few of these professionals so I thought that was all that was provided.

I also learned about the process of how students can obtain special services/education. It can be a long process but very rewarding for those students. I think that this is important because it shows that teachers and administrators are concerned about the students in the school and they want the very best for them.

Here is a concept map of everything that I learned this week to help you to connect the dots.

Communication

What a crazy week this has been! It has been full of school, which includes homework and unexpected group assignments, work, and family. But the one thing that has been constant throughout this week has been communication. There has been some good communication and some miscommunication.

This week I was able to learn about the process of creating an IEP (Individualized Education Plan). This is a very complex process because you are trying to meet the needs of the student with disabilities, in regards to their education, while making sure that you are meeting the needs of the parents that they request for their son or daughter. The key to making this process go as smoothly as possible is having good communication between all of the parties involved.  

Education for ALL

This week I was able to take a trip into the past to learn about all of the laws and legislation that brought about education for every child. It was very hard and it took a long time for all children to be able to receive an education. I was surprised to realize that all of this happened not very long ago. I feel like sometimes we think this great movement took place a long time ago, but in reality it was not that long ago. 

I am extremely grateful for all of the brave men and women that stood up and decided that something needed to be changed in the public school system to include all children. Because of this great movement my brother, who is in a wheelchair, was able to attend high school and who is now attending a university to further his education. Along with continuing his education, he has a job working at the local Wal-Mart.

He is able to do both of these things because of the ADA act. He has found a new purpose to his life and he feels like he can actually do something productive with his life. If he had lived 50+ years ago, he would not be able to do these things. What a huge impact this has made in his life and in the lives of others.

We are ALL children of God

Hello everyone! It has been a while since I have posted but that is all about to change...right here, right now. Ready, set, GO!!!!

I just started a new semester at BYU-Idaho. I am currently a Special Education major and am talking a class called, Exceptional Students. In this class I will be learning about how to include those exceptional students in my classroom. Each week I am given the opportunity to reflect and share what I have been learning, which I am now going to be doing in my blog.

This week I read some amazing talks about the power of inclusion and looking out for the one.  I recommend that you take a look and read these talks. Here are the links: The Doctrine of Inclusion, The Moving of the Water, Concern for the One.

The main message from all of these talks is that we are all children of God. We don't all look, talk, think or act the same but we all came from the same being. To sum up everything that I learned, I created a concept map linking everything back to, we are ALL children of God. Here is my concept map so you can get an idea of what I am talking about.

With this map as the backdrop for my learning in this class, I am confident that I will be able to teach in a classroom where each student can feel the love and support of their Heavenly Father in their learning endeavors.

Life is Glorious

These pass few weeks have been really hard. Satan sure loves to make my life miserable! But despite all of that, I have been able to see the hand of the Lord more clearly in my life. Every good little thing that happens strengthens my testimony and makes me stronger every day. 

It is really hard work to do all of the right things when everything around you is trying to pull and break you down. But with the help from my Savior, I am able to triumph over all things. Kelly Clarkson says it better, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger". 

Life is truly glorious when we are living the gospel and following the counsel from the prophets. Prayers, scripture study, church attendance, and paying your tithing all are ways to make life glorious. 

Finals Week

As the end of the semester approaches, I am filled with happiness and sadness. I am glad to be one step closer to earning my degree and sad at the prospect of leaving wonderful teachers and classmates. I am grateful for all of the experiences that I have had during this semester and I am excited for the new experiences that await me during the summer semester.

This week as I have been preparing for final presentations and mock interviews, I have thought about how blessed I am to be able to attend LDS Business College. I have had some wonderful opportunities that have prepared me for my future career. Among those wonderful opportunities, I was able to play my violin in a quartet for the last devotional of the semester. That was a perfect way to end the semester. I am truly grateful that I was able to perform with some of the amazing students that attend LDS Business College and to my family for putting up with my practicing over the years.

Spring

"Spring is busting out all over...!". I love when winter melts away into spring. I love watching the flowers bloom and the leafs starting to pop out on the trees. I love to hear the birds singing in the trees. I especially love Easter, General Conference, and April Fool's Day.

My family loves to celebrate all of these events. My mom loves to celebrate April Fool's Day each year. She enjoys thinking of fun things for us to do throughout the day. Since today is April Fool's Day, I have thought back on past April Fool's and the crazy things we have done.

Easter is a wonderful time to think about the Savior and His Atonement. I feel closer to Him and Heavenly Father during this time. For Easter this year, I had the opportunity to watch the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra on Temple Square perform Handel's Messiah. It was absolutely incredible. It was a great way to focus on Easter and what it means to me.

I am so grateful for the Atonement and for the opportunity to be resurrected and to be with my family forever.