On a Less Serious Note...

Changing gears a little bit to a less serious topic....

     Although teaching is a huge responsibility, it can also be fun at times.  This video is a perfect example of how teachers can have a good time, just like their students.  These students in the video thought they were being interviewed for a video, but the teachers decided to have some fun.  I hope when I become a teacher, I have opportunities like this and have friendships with the people I work with.  It will make my job easier and more enjoyable.

Works Cited:
TheOhsSbos. "Teachers Dancing Behind Students Ogden High." YouTube. YouTube, 23 May 2012. Web. 26 Sept. 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wgj3R8T1_oQ>.

Eton Academy

     This year, I had to privilege of visiting Eton Academy, a school for children with learning challenges.  This is where I would like to teach someday.  This school  "educates students with reading, attention and other learning challenges — building academic skills and self-confidence in an accepting and supportive environment" (Eton Academy). Students aren't looked at as disabled there.  They are treated like regular children, with a specific focus to meet their needs in school.  They get the respect and help they need and deserve.  
     While walking through the halls and seeing how this school is run, I quickly fell in love with the positive energy everywhere.  Every student had a smile on their face and every teacher looked excited to be at work, to be helping these students achieve great things, not only in academics, but in everyday life.  The goals they have for their students is challenging, but with the encouragement and care these teachers have for each individual they teach, it isn't possible for these goals not to be met.
     Not only is there immense support from teachers and parents, but there are also support from celebrities that support what Eton Academy has to offer.  The Detroit Pistons supported Eton by providing them with a resource room, equipped with books, sharing information about different disabilities  and computers available for research.  This just shows how awesome their program is.  


"Eton Academy." Eton Academy. Eton Academy, 2012. Web. 18 Sept. 2012. <http://www.etonacademy.org/index.php>.
     

Band of Angels

     According to the "What Is Changing Education for Our Children," schools are not meeting the requirements that special education students need.  They talk about the need that special education students need to be taught in regular classrooms, not be put in separate classrooms, making it "us vs. them."  They need to be encouraged to interact with students that don't have special needs.  Inclusion is a good way for special education students to interact with people they will come in contact with for the rest of their life.  They need to be exposed to people they will potentially be working with.  

     An issue that the article brings up, is that special education students will not be able to keep up with the curriculum.  Special education students will just need extra tudors, reteaching, and patience.  If they get this attention, they will be able to achieve great things.  I believe that these children can be successful, if they just get the attention they need. 
  Another point that is brought up in this article is that children aren't smart enough for the curriculum.  These children can achieve great things if they are given the respect and patience they need to be taught.

Band Of Angels. "What Is Changing Education for Our Children?" Down Syndrome Information & Resources. Band of Angels, 6 June 2012. Web. 14 Sept. 2012. <http://www.bandofangels.com/Blog/?StartDate=6/1/2012>.

Giving Hope

     Jennifer Toscano, an aid for children with Autism, writes about her experience with one of her students, Matthew.  The way she delivers her story in such a calming, loving way shows that she wants to reach out to parents, teachers and even children who are effected by Autism.  Her style of writing portrays that she is a teacher of young children.  Her vocabulary isn't heightened, but in her profession, it doesn't need to be.  This style of writing helps relate to her audience of fellow teachers, parents and children because she delivers her words in such a way that parents and teachers will respect her opinion and the things she has to say, and children will listen because she is to the point so there's no room for distraction.
     The way in which she delivers her story through the Autism Speaks Blog forum, makes it easy to locate for special education teachers, and parents of autistic children.  Being located on this website, gives parents of autistic children hope that their children will be cared for and taught correctly by teachers who care about their future, and that have their best interest at heart.
     By using the Autism Speaks website blog, you can guess that it was put there for a reason.  Giving people affected by autism hope is encouraging and helpful when dealing with it.  Patience and courage is what it will take when teaching these children.  This website, and this blog especially, translate that.

Source:
Toscano, Jennifer. "Matthew and Me." Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks Inc., 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 13 Sept. 2012. <http://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/2012/09/13/matthew-and-me>.

Autism Speaks

     First I'd like to share a little background about Autism, and then I'll share my personal experiences with you.  

     Autism Speaks is the "world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families" (Autism Speaks).  Autism Speaks was founded in 2005 and has been growing ever since.  1 in 88 American children have autism.  It is more commonly found in boys than girls, 4 times more likely in boys (Autism Speaks).  Although they cannot pin point one specific factor for the cause of autism, "the clearest evidence of these autism risk factors involves events before and during birth. They include advanced parental age at time of conception (both mom and dad), maternal illness during pregnancy and certain difficulties during birth, particularly those involving periods of oxygen deprivation to the baby’s brain. It is important to keep in mind that these factors, by themselves, do not cause autism. Rather, in combination with genetic risk factors, they appear to modestly increase risk" (Autism Speaks). Autism is "characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors.  Autism can be associated with intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordination and attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances" (Autism Speaks).  Autism is based on a large spectrum of difficulties, but organizations like Autism Speaks are creating awareness for the autism disorder.  Not only are they providing information about autism, they are raising money and providing funding for research to be done.     

     Owen, the child I had the pleasure of babysitting this summer, has autism.  He is the one of the smartest 8 year olds I know.  His memory is incredible, better than most people I know.  He can remember every song in a movie. Even if he has only seen the movie once, he still can sing every song.  He knows every word to every book in his collection of stories stored on his book shelves.  He proclaims them with such enthusiasm and understanding, that you just want to listen to him for hours.  Most people don't really understand what autistic children are like.  You could read a million articles about autistic children, but you don't really know what they're like unless you spend time with them.  Just today, one of the people I live with said that autistic kids are kids that can't talk.  Although some autistic children are unable to, not all of them are that way.  There are different levels of autism, just as there are different levels to most everything.  Knowing one thing about a disorder, doesn't really mean anything.  You may think you have it all figured out, but you will never know until you are actually associated with these children.  These children have extraordinary gifts.  Exceptional memory, phenomenal music abilities, or being able to change your mood with just a look, are just some of the things you hear about.  You can't help but smile when you,re with Owen.  He makes you feel special and can instantly change the way you are feeling.  He is an incredible child, just as all children, disability or not, are.

     

Source:
http://www.autismspeaks.org/about-us

Questions

What are the certification tests for teaching?
What are on those tests?

What do I need to learn to become a teacher?

What skills will I need to master to become a teacher?

What type of communication/terminology do teachers use?

What kind of environment might I work in?

What is the salary? Job prospect?

What prominent people/companies are in the teaching field?

What courses will I need to graduate with a teaching degree?

How much work is needed to become a teacher?

What are the most common hours for a teacher?

     Being a teacher is going to take a lot of patience and time, especially being a special education teacher.  Teaching isn't a well paying job, with teachers only earning $48,000 on average, but it is a very rewarding job.  There is always a need for teachers, but it may not be in the area in which you're looking.  You may have to go out of state, or to a different school district in order to get hired.  

     To be a good teacher, you need to be creative and organized.  You need to be able to communicate with all types of children, because you never know what type of personalities you'll have to deal with.  All kids come from different backgrounds, which can effect how they learn and communicate with people, and it's your job to try and figure that out.

     There are several different environments you could be placed in as a teacher.  You could be placed in a school in an urban district, a catholic school, a public school, or a low funded school.  You have to adjust to the environment you are placed in though and make the best of it.  The time and effort put into teaching is really up to the teacher and also depends on what grade you are teaching.  If your teaching high school, it will take you longer to grade papers than if your teaching a first grade class.      

     There are many unions available when you become a teacher.  AFT(American Federation of Teachers)  is just one example of the many that are available to join.   

http://www1.salary.com/Special-Education-Teacher-Salary.html