From the article: What Parents Would Like Special Educators to Know
As the parent of a child with special needs, you've probably had experience with teachers who really "got" your child and taught with vision and enthusiasm ... and with teachers who did the opposite, neglecting or even bullying your child. Take what you've learned and turn it into advice for the next generation of special-education teachers. What advice would you give to a teacher starting out in special education? Share Your Experience
Clear Definition,Expectations, Measure
- When telling parents about a problem, don’t just tell us, show us and help us understand the impact. Avoid broad terms. To say a child is inattentive could mean so many things to so many people and if there is no impact then it is hard to understand why it is a problem. So, clear definitions of the problem, clear expectations and measurement showing parents how the child measures against those expectations. Example of what not to do John is having a hard time paying attention. Good Example: John is not paying attention and it is causing him to not finish the expected workload in the class on time. We expect each third grader to be able to finish at least 95% of the work in the alotted time given. Your child is around the 70% mark of what we expect. When I say pay attention, I mean that he is staring off into space at his desk when he should be working. PWC
- —ParentWithConcerns
Be part of the team.
- My advice to a new teacher, whether special ed or not, is to communicate with parents, other teachers, specialists, etc. I have come across a teacher who was too afraid to tell me the whole truth, so she lead me on to believe that things are going much better than they were. It felt like I hit a brick wall when the truth finally came out, and a lot of people were upset. I have also run into that teacher who was too proud(?) to talk with my son's private OT about the issues she was having with him at school. The teacher who cried when we talked with her about praising him for what he can do, vs always focusing on what he can't. Experience has taught me that I know my son better than anyone else, but I am not the expert at everything. I knew my son had issues with attention and focus, but had no idea that he couldn't track at all. It explains a lot, and we'll be adding another expert to our team. My advise, use every resource, ask questions, be honest, and be part of the team.
- —BethMom
Advice for a new Special Ed Teacher
- Be humble, and eager to listen to the parents. We have found teachers in our school system who 'teach' in the EC department have no idea about special ed at all. Make sure you do your homework. If you've met one kid on the spectrum you've only met one kid on the spectrum. We had a gal roll her eyes one morning when we brought our daughter to school. That was the most hurtful thing to me. I wanted to know I was leaving the love of my heart with someone who would nurture and appreciate her for the special person she is. I didn't get the warm fuzzy I so desperately needed from her. Be warm. Get down on the child's eye level when you're speaking to him/her. You'll find these sweet little people will teach you more than you ever thought you could know. Being fuzzy is optional. :)
- —Guest Clara's Mom
Continue to learn
- My advice for a new special education teacher would be to enjoy each day and learn from every experience. As most of us know, every child is unique and every parent has their own style. Listen carefully and whatever you do, don't react. Think about your response and if you don't have an immediate, thank the parent for sharing all that he/she has to offer and let them know that you will certainly consider all of it when teaching their child. Always, always be honest and upfront with parents. Don't be afraid to show your human side. One of the things that parents have said bugs them the most about teachers is that they get very defensive and don't seem to respect the parent's point of view. Please include parents as an integral part of your child's school team.
- —emotionalghettogirl
forget self
- Working with Special Education child needs one to focus, leaving no stone unturned. It is much important to make a good preparation of your IEP, that fits the need of and behaviour of the child with good resources. This must be done after proper visit of the dignostic test from the doctor, so as to know how and where to begin in assisting the child. A teacher, parents and doctor must work hand in hand to manage, maintain, and improve the child`s performance. S/he must put the child at heart thinking about how best can s/he improve the life of the child. Noting every new behaviour is very important as this will help the teacher to notice new developed skills, behaviour or attitudes. Remember every child is unique and special, therefore, do not compare him/ her with any body.
- —Guest Ntseliseng Tsekane
Listen--REALLY Listen to the Parents
- Kudos to "paulbahr" for stealing one of my favorite lines to know-it-all educators--"You aren't an expert on my kid." Please listen--REALLY LISTEN--to the parents at meetings, conferences, etc. We do know our child better than you ever will over the course of 1 year, maybe 2. When you make us feel like allies instead of barriers to your awesome teaching skills, you actually get insight in how to motivate my kid from a first-hand source. I am the Cliff Notes expert on my kid--don't be aftraid to utilize that knowledge. And you will win me over if you can spell my kid's name correctly, be able to converse about 1 thing he likes, and remember to always focus on positive aspects in a meeting. Don't tell me what my kid can't do; I already know that. Tell me what he DID do, what he figured out on his own, how he surprised you with an answer, anything positive that shows me you WANT to teach him. For that, I'll follow you into the foray and work with you at home. Listen like you want him to!
- —Guest Sharon
New Special Ed Teacher
- Hi, My daughter loves her special ed. teachers. With a smaller class size, the teacher was able to spend more time with her. The teacher made her feel special. Since she was being taught at her level and speed, she did not feel like she was stupid. The teacher made all the children feel like they were special. She had a very upbeat attitude, and hugged the children that were having a difficult day. On big test days, she would have the parents send in bottles of water and snacks for the children to share. Then if the chidlren were looking stressed, she kept them going with a snack. If she was going to be gone for a day or more, she would prepare the children so they would not be all upset and worried when she wasn't there. This is especially important for children with attachment issues. I hated for my daughter to graduate to another school where we had to start over with another teacher. It takes a special kind of person to be a special ed teacher. Loretta
- —Guest Loretta
Know your position
- My wife and I have actually given talks to education students at a local university. The message I hope they took away from our talks is this: "You might be the expert in education, but you're NOT the expert in my kid!" Don't begin your relationship with the parents with the position that you have all of the answers and the parents are non-factors in the equation. Approach it from the position of a partnership and you'll get a much better experience all around. We've had just this "I know better than you" experience with the director of special ed in our school district. When problems come up, we have no problems dropping them off in her lap and saying "So, what are you going to do about it?!?!" since she apparently knows it all. Most of the staff that work for her and the district's special ed department are absolutely wonderful and we can't say enough good things about them.
- —paulbahr
Tearing down walls
- Many of us have built up walls due to past bad experiences with special educators. We had the impression that the collective "you" were on our side only to find you were really watching out for the district dollar, that the fact "IEP" means "INDIVIDUAL" education plan sometimes has no meaning. Sometimes it takes us time to get comfortable, and learn to trust again when a truly good teacher comes along. You also have to remember that, although you went to school and earned a degree in teaching, we have earned a degree in our child, and you will never, no matter what level of education you earn, be an expert on my child. You might learn a lot about him, but you will never be an expert and understand him on the level that I do. Some educators forget this, and try to badger parents into make decisions that go against their better judgement, only to find later the parent was right and a lot of time was wasted arguing with the parent instead of listening to them.
- —lespring
