In my five years of teaching, I have taught several students with high-incidence disabilities ranging from ADHD to speech impediments. I currently have a student in my first grade classroom with dyspraxia. Dyspraxia is a disorder that weakens the muscles necessary for motor skills. The student has much difficulty with pronouncing words and with handwriting. She works with a speech therapist and an occupational therapist. To meet her educational needs, I consistently meet with each therapist to discuss her progress and things I can reinforce in the classroom to further her success. I also maintain a collaborative relationship with her parents.
One thing that I need to work on is having patience as an educator. I feel like a failure when my students, especially ones with high-incidence disabilities, have periods of small educational growth. However, it is important to realize that each child is different and progresses at different rates. I need to keep a mind frame of looking for the positives in their educational accomplishments no matter how small.
I will continue to form strong collaborative bonds with parents, therapists, and specialists of the students with high-incidence disabilities that I teach. I want to ensure that I create a classroom atmosphere and curriculum that meets their individual needs. My goal as an educator is to effectively teach my students while also instilling a love for learning.
Amanda, I admire you for continuing to work closely and consistently alongside not only this student with dyspraxia, but also alongside her parents. I am sure her parents are able to provide you with such valuable information and vice versa. I applaud you for looking at each student’s individual accomplishments, no matter the size. Raising students' self-esteem levels not only benefits them as individuals, but also benefits the entire class. The entire class is able to celebrate one another's accomplishments while subconsciously building a strong sense of trust within the classroom community!
ReplyDeleteI also admire you for working with this student and for taking the time to sit and communicate with parents and therapists. I think that all of us as educators go through a time when we think we are not doing the best job we are capable of doing, I know I do. However, you are right, each child grows in their own way and we need to realize that we are giving our best and that each child will leave our classroom with having learned something new.
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