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Teacher Interview Reflection

MN Bot Standard 4. Individual Development and Identity

Understanding e. Concepts, methods, and theories about the study of human growth and

development.

Micah Schultz

Education is strongest when it is supported by a community of people. The need for this

cooperation is magnified even further when educating students with special needs. For this

reason, I think it is essential that all prospective teachers be exposed to the workings of special

education. One way to accurately illustrate the components of special education is through

interviewing a teacher or parent of a student receiving services. Individuals who are a part of the

practice offer the most insight into these often rather perplexing areas. In conducting these

interviews, mainstream teachers can start to envision their role in the special education process.

The special education teacher interview I conducted certainly provided me with an additional

perspective into the world of students with special needs. Having been previously employed as

an EBD paraprofessional for a number of years, I do derive benefit from this time spent in the

classroom. Yet, upon the conclusion of this interview, I realized there is a good amount I had

forgotten or never been exposed to in the special education process. Many of the ideas expressed

in the interview were concerning special education but can also be applied in my future social

studies classroom. Largely, the interview was a reminder of the challenging but rewarding career

path that special educators choose for themselves.

As I mentioned, many of the concepts presented can be applied both in mainstream and special

education settings. To start with, the goal of special education is to provide the least restrictive

environment. Ideally this is the mainstream classroom. This means that in a sense, my social

studies room will often simultaneously be the special education classroom as well. Ms. Fashant

discussed developing relationships by connecting personally with students. This is necessary to

be an effective teacher in all classrooms but even more so with special needs students.

Particularly when working with EBD students; being aware of personal preferences is

invaluable.

One of the main ways in which the methods of special education are successfully employed is

through a team approach. This was apparent both from the interview I conducted and from first-

hand familiarity with special needs students. A number of the responses to my interview

questions contained indications of group based methodology. Communication is crucial, starting

with the parents, students and teachers. Additional people such as school psychologists, social

workers, counselors, and among others paraprofessionals, are also involved. When this unit is

operating supremely, all parties contribute what they can and pertinent information flows

efficient among them. Personally I can recall extensive documentation of observed successes and

concerns when I worked as a para. This data would then be relayed to other concerned

individuals. In turn, updates to the students plan would be given to me as they were developed by

others who helped shape it.

Teacher Interview Reflection