Lesson 10 Reflection and Orthopedic Impairment Experience

I completed the orthopedic impairment simulation this week. I was able to participate in this experience at my local mall, and was able to bring my children with me. For me, this was a fairly difficult and a surprisingly emotional experience. The first thing that we did after arriving was to go buy a soft pretzel. The cashier was so friendly to me, and I made a special note that she looked me directly in the eye and was upbeat during our interaction. After we bought our pretzel and drink, I realized that the only way for me to get them to our table was to place the hot pretzel and full soda on my lap or have my children carry it for me. I needed both hands on the wheels of my chair or I wouldn't be going anywhere. I continued to have moment after moment of realizing my current limitations; the displays in stores that I couldn't fit between, the amount of time it takes to get from one side of the mall to the other, the way that water from the drinking fountain dribbles down your chin when your face is vertical coming at instead of horizontal above that fountain, how much shoulder and back strength it takes to move around independently in a wheelchair.... I had a moment when trying to use the restroom without using my legs where I teared up in frustration. I could not figure out how to transfer to the toilet without using my legs. I literally sat in the stall and googled how to do it. and I couldn't even do it with those instructions. The realization that if this were my impairment that I would need assistance to just use the bathroom impacted me. I had been thinking that this experience would be interesting, but I was not prepared for how emotional I felt. I will absolutely remember this experience.
This week's reading focused on differentiating instruction. After my experience in the wheelchair, I feel like I have an enhanced sense of the importance of reaching students who have impairments to their learning, and to differentiate for them so that they can experience success and participate in their classroom.

Lesson 09 Reflection

This week our readings focused on students with "other disabilities" and UDL, Universal Design for Learning. UDL works to design learning for students who have been marginalized and/or are struggling with average curriculum that is geared towards the illusory "average" student. I was so impressed by the efforts of many of the teachers that we saw in the content videos who were working to do everything in their power to reach the students under their care who struggled with various difficulties from homelessness to neglect or abuse to symptoms of ADHD and other cognitive or physical challenges. These teachers absolutely lit up when they were talking about their jobs and how they felt a sense of purpose and were dedicated to serving the children with integrity and purpose. I was inspired when I saw the classrooms that were as inclusive as they could be, with students who have special needs seated next to and working with their typically developing peers. It was powerful to watch the peer to peer teaching that happened with the students, and to hear that when students are in an inclusive classroom, all students benefit and experience deeper learning. This was an eye opening experience for me and one that I would love to be able to enact in my own classroom. Thinking back to my own elementary experience, I do remember special needs student being included in our classroom and it was just a normal thing for us; we did not expect them to be separated, we wanted to know how we could interact with them and share our learning experiences with them.

Lesson 08 Reflection

This week I was most impressed by doing the case study learning activity where we used the INCLUDE model and made a plan for "Mark". For me, it was beneficial because before actually participating in creating the plan for him, just reading about all the steps in the textbook seemed a little overwhelming and intimidating. Having the opportunity to learn a little about the child and his background, previous teacher's experiences with him, gave me the information I felt like I needed to make some recommendations for accommodations that might help to benefit Mark in the classroom with the other second graders. I am glad for that experience of creating the plan for him, and using the guidelines from the INCLUDE method to do that.

Lesson 07 Reflection

This week we continued to look at the referral process for Special Education services. The assessments can be a little confusing to interpret, so we watched a video that helped explain that in more detail. (video found here: https://screencast.com/t/PNMmvXYZb62J ) Our case study for the week looked at a young girl named Esther who had been experiencing struggles in her schooling. She had been adopted from Mexico after being raised by a mother who had neglected her and then abandoned Esther at a bus station, then she lived in an orphanage for a year and a half. We looked at her assessment scores and made decisions about where to place her so that she could now receive extra help, but my heart was just focused on how troubled her young life had been. I think that in my future encounters with children like Esther, I need to remember to focus on more than just the data and assessment scores, and remember that there is a human life behind the numbers. Esther needs care and compassion and support from loving and trustworthy adults who can help her to grow and see the value in education and the steps that will get her there.