I am currently a special education teacher for elementary children with low-incidence special needs. I am enrolled in the masters program for Educational Technology and this is my first semester. I wanted to pursue my masters because I need to have one to move into a position where I can help more children with low-incidence disabilities. I chose this program after accidentally stumbling upon it when looking into the educational leadership program and realizing that this program is an amazing combination of my previous (software engineer) and current (special education teacher) positions. Upon graduation, I would like to eventually become a district level helping teacher for the program that I work in.
As a district level helping teacher, I would like to use the knowledge I gain about Instructional Design and Technology in three ways. One is to evaluate and analyse the programs that are developed for the children that we serve. I feel that sometimes higher level administration pay too much attention to the presentations that they are given and not enough attention to the actual program. The second way I would like to use my knowledge to design and develop content materials for the students. I know that the students in my classroom benefit greatly from my materials and I would like to expand that to the district level. Last, I would like to use my knowledge to achieve better communication between special education teachers. Each classroom operates as an individual entity, even though we are all attempting to do the same job. While most grade level teachers meet weekly with their grade level, we rarely meet. When special ed teachers do meet, it is not to share ideas, but to listen to administration. I would like to change this using my educational technology knowledge.
There are several organizations mentioned in the book that I think would be beneficial to my future career and continued learning. A few of those are Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education and Association for Educational Communications and Technology. I absolutely think that joining these organizations prior to graduating would benefit me. Not only would it be show my desire to continue learning about my profession, but it would also give me additional reading and information that would help me show my level of knowledge about the field.
Christi,
ReplyDeleteAs an OT, I have the upmost respect for special education teachers. Though I worked mostly with adults during my practice, I know how difficult and challenging your job can be. I was somewhat surprised with your statement that you and your fellow special education teachers don't really meet as a "department." But, in many districts I am familiar with, there is usually only one special ed teacher per school. That would make meetings very difficult. The possible use of technology to facilitate teacher meetings and the sharing of ideas would make a lot of sense. I can also see the use of technology in the special education classroom. There are some very specific needs your students have that can be supported with technology. I hope you gain knowledge in your studies that you can apply in your classroom soon after you learn it. Good luck in your studies.
You will be an asset to the district you work.
ReplyDeleteI see so many qualities when I read your post! Yes students with disabilities need the educational technology, teachers like you can make their life easier. Showing them ways to make a leaving and not only ways to learn.
So many positions to help them earn money, through technology.
I admire you and I wish we had more in all districts like you!
Yes I agree with you, special education teachers need to meet at least once every 15 days. Cross information and learning, knowledge, intelligence, find out how children learn, share the information. You can do it Mrs A, you can do it! Star something good and they will follow.
There is a great amount of learning through organizations and their periodicals, journals, information. I have found them very beneficial.
I enjoyed reading your post. Good luck in all you do!
Christi,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to know I am not the only Special Education teacher going for a masters degree. I am going for mine in Library Science, so I know it is way different than what you are going for. Most SpEd teachers stay where they are because we are one of the highest paid teachers, but it is nice to see that another fellow SpEd teacher is hopping to get further.
I know you will the the position you are going after in your district because of your past experience and because of what you will learn. The best of luck to you!
-Adriana Chapa
Christi,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading about your plans for the future. I believe you can make a difference for your school district.I think special education teachers should meet for something other than an upcoming ARD or parent complaint. I have learned so much from my 2 technology classes and I am sure since this is your first semester you will get even more excited about the possibilities as you continue your educational journey. Good Luck, Mary Freeman