Week 02 Reflection: Semi-Intrinsic Fuel

This week has taught me that, no matter what rewards are promised, a teacher must engage in the tasks of the profession to for intrinsic rewards. The pay is not even reasonable considering the amount of education and personal funds that are required to engage in the practice at even a simply satisfactory level. The amount of personal time that must be devoted to the tasks of the profession "after-hours" is ridiculous. In addition to this, other professionals, even educational professionals, seem unenlightened as to the many facets of the daily life of the Exceptional Education teacher. However, as was previously discovered in my investigations, this fact only reinforces my dedication to the field. The ultimate goal of this profession is the transfer of understanding to students; and I am incredibly motivated by this ultimate goal.

In all truth, lack of gratitude from others is can be very discouraging, especially when compacted with the disapproval of students who are much more likely to rather be playing a video game or watching television than learning seemingly meaningless algorithms. But this is a part of the overall challenge for the teacher. It is not the student's responsibility to automatically be inspired to learn what the teacher is presenting. Rather, it is the teacher's duty to create a learning experience that inspires the student to participate, learn, and retain the learning that has taken place. This challenge works to help me in maintaining a renewed level of interest in helping each student.

It is with this level of renewed interest that I am likely to engage in the upcoming week. I have grown more and more familiar with the students with whom I work, and so I understand how to present the upcoming subject of basic division. I have taken numerous factors into consideration and have begun to plan what I believe will honestly be very effective learning opportunities that will help to cement the concept into their battery of knowledge. I plan to work with this group of students beginning tomorrow morning, and hope to see the fruits of my labor, even if it is only on their faces as that adorable little look of enlightenment. But even if this reward is not given to me, I will be even more inspired to seek it, altering my instructional practices in hopes of eventually causing the students to prove their mastery of the concept, even if not the procedures right away. So, it is with anticipation of the best that I enter this new week; may the students be as inspired as I am.

Week 01 Reflection: Management Procedures and Philosophy

Despite my beginning fears about the new experience, I have come to ADORE my placement at Longleaf Elementary with Mrs. Sigrath, a fire-fairy whose lightning speed and matching mind make her beautifully suited to the fast-paced field. She uses every opportunity to convey useful information about the field of special education to me. She informs me of the expectations of teachers as well as laws governing the procedures of exceptional education. She makes me aware of seemingly minor things that can have a great effect on the classroom system, including procedures and overall systems of management.

In the classroom, Mrs. Sigrath has an incredibly practical and effective system of management. She uses a token system that rewards students for participating in academic discussions and in making connections with the concepts addressed during lessons. I’ve heard terrible things about this kind of system, especially a clinical aspect. But in the real world of teaching, it seems incredibly affective. We were all very surprised when a student with autism initiated responses during a reading lesson, something not at all very common for that particular student. This student also works hard all day for the opportunity extra rounds on the carousel in his backyard. Other students also make wise choices, knowing that their actions will have consequences. I think it might be helpful for some of these students to see in a tangible way how their actions have consequences. I have seen that it inspires students who may not otherwise be willing participants to engage in meaningful learning activities.

I think that this is an excellent system when used correctly, as Mrs. Sigrath does. She wants the students to succeed and it’s obvious in her mannerisms and speech. I would have enjoyed being one of her students. I think this is because of her positive attitude and obvious concern and care for her students. Her system of management will be incredibly easy for me to adopt because it occurs naturally for me. I am happy to have the opportunity to work with her.