First Day of School

Well, here we are. The first day of student teaching. Coming right off of winter break to the biggest semester of my life caused much anxiety and excitement last night. I tried to come as prepared as possible, laying out my clothes, preparing my lunch, and packing my bags all the night before. If I could only keep this up the whole semester, my life would be much easier.

Once I was at the school, I felt much more at ease. I was introduced to multiple people who I've already forgotten their names and will encounter embarrassing moments later on as I try to remember. I've met other teachers, specialists, aids, volunteers, VP, and students. So many names to go with so many faces. Some of the students stuck out more than others.

My goal was to learn five student names today and I've learned seven. Those seven caught my special attention and as a future special educator, I am always drawn to the ones with the most outbursts. They're always are my favorite. I've learned personalities and work habits and none are exactly the same.

The curriculum here has a great rhythm and flow to the classroom. Every student knows what to get out, where things are, and when to ask questions. Everything is individualized on the written program based on data collection. There is data being collected constantly in math, reading, writing, and spelling. My mentor teacher also uses Fridays as a day for testing. This seems to be a luxury that compared to most special educators and districts.

Overall the students respond well to the multitude of reinforcements regulated in the classroom. There are The 7 Habits, bean jars, card flips, and personal behavior contracts coexisting in the same room. It is refreshing to see a well organized classroom.

There is technology available but I haven't seen much of it used today. The classroom has two computers and two iPads. The students can use the iPad but only as a reward for good behavior documented by the teacher. When using the iPad as a reward, the student can play games on the iPad that are not "educational". When using the iPad as a center, specific apps are only allowed.

The room is set up with one full time special educator, a part time teacher, and one part time aide. Both part time employees leave around noon, leaving my mentor teacher alone for half the day. There are 53 students on the case load with six students self-contained.

My hopes for this ten weeks is to learn the student's names, be comfortable with the programmed curriculum, and be involved with the behind-the-scene nature of special ed. I want to know why she picked the programs or were they mandated by the district? What testing does she do all day on Fridays? How does she work with the general educators? Is there a cluster unit in this school? Sound there ever be a push in model at this school?

There are lots of questions for the first day and I am very eager to learn the answers as the weeks go on. I would say that today was a success and I'm excited for the future!