Goodness.
My goodness.
My public school teacher heart is hurting right now!
I've heard more than one time, two times, three times, lately about how parents feel they need to pull their special needs kids out of public schools and home school them or find alternative schooling options for their kids. What in the world is going on here? It is our job as public educators to educate every single child that comes through our program. It is our job to FIND WHAT WORKS for these kids.
One thing I just read that was super discouraging was that the special needs kid was out of the classroom receiving so much "support" that he wasn't getting the academics he needed. How can that be? Why aren't the specialist going into the classroom to help him so he's being double teamed? What happened to co-teaching? If a child is able to be in a regular ed classroom for his/her academics, but needs support, why is that not happening for him/her?
I'll be honest. I'm just a regular teacher. I absolutely do not know the ins and outs of Autism, Speech Delays, Dyslexia, ODD, ADHD...I can't. It's my job to know the standards that are required for completion of kindergarten and make sure my kids can do those! When I'm overwhelmed by the special needs of some of my students, it's my job to call in the experts.
Is that a process? Yes!
Does it take a long time? YES! Sometimes too long!
It disturbs me greatly that parents are pulling their kids out of public education because we aren't meeting their academic needs. I think sometimes parents expect the public school system to do TOO much. But it is our job to educate the public. To provide for the educational needs of every single child that comes to us for service. Have I wanted to pull out my hair before because of one of my students? You can bet your very last dollar I have! Have I been frustrated beyond exasperation because of something that's gone on or a difference I have with a parent? YES! But at the end of the day, the end of the year, it's my job to teach. And it's my job to work with parents to make sure that happens. I hate that parents who have children with specific needs don't feel like the school system is meeting them where they are or working with them to make the experience the best it can be for their children.
Monday, August 1, 2011
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3 comments:
It should make you happy to know that I have been inordinately pleased with my experience having a special needs kiddo in public school. With the exception of one little blip when a misinformed staff member tried to tell me KayTar had to be put on homebound in PreK3, I've never had one disagreement with the staff. From her initial intake evaluation and recommendations through every ARD meeting we've had, I feel like the staff really does want to meet her needs.
Oh Oh Oh...Nat don't even start me on this topic! Here is Australia we are expected to cater for ALL children in the mainstream and sometimes that is a total joke. But every case must be reviewed separately and appropriate placements determined by Educational Co-ordinators.
That comment was intended for this post. ;o)
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