Education 2301
3/15/2013
Tobi Briana Gonzalez

The elementary age is a crucial time in s student’s lives as this is when they are exposed to classroom learning for the first time. It is at this period when most students form their opinions on school that last their whole school careers. Teachers play a vital role in forming this outlook. I will never discourage my students. It is my goal to make a difference in the life of every child I get the privileged to educate. Educating children with special needs means being aware of their abilities and reflecting upon their educational development and the best possible way of helping them. As an elementary teacher to work with students of different strengths, I will develop strong bonds with each student; provide the much needed support and confidence they so desperately need. The goals, methods and purposes behind the goals and methods of a special education teacher are critical as they drive student expectation. I will always be aware that no students are the same and that each student has individual academic ability and achievement levels as well as individual strengths and needs. I will do my best to remain in step with the continuing and changing needs of my students. Compared to the regular classroom teaching, special education teachers are faced with a different kind of challenge. They need to adapt to specific and special needs of each students. Children who have some disability in terms of some physical challenge or limited reasoning powers and conceptual ability need special aids and demand specific-teaching skills for effective understanding. Because of this, special education teachers need to be emotionally and mentally prepared to provide a sufficient amount of support to the child. As a future education teacher, I need to have good communication skills to remain open to parents and other teachers to achieve these goals. Parental involvement is important as well as the collaboration of other needs of the education setting. I believe it is important for me to help students attain individual learning goals. The knowledge I want each student to attain will vary based on their grade level, ability and achievement level, as well as the goals set forth in each student’s individualized education plan. When working with the elementary age, my main concern will be communication, and we will work daily on learning and understanding words. It is also very important for special needs children to get fine motor skills along with sensory activities.
Basic life skills that we do not have to think twice about, these special needs children do. This includes such things as cutting their food, feeding themselves, putting their shoes on the right foot. In a regular classroom setting, teachers focus should be on larger context ideas such as planning a multicultural lesson plans or getting their students ready to play a larger role society. However, students with disabilities will never be doctors or lawyers and in some cases not even