Week 3 Lesson 3

Wow. I am learning so much in this class. I didn't realize just how much of a fight special education rights have gone through. I know there is still room for improvement, but we really are in a good place. Schools are obligated to provide education for students with disabilities and they are obligated to provide for their needs.
I had no idea how many court cases have been brought up and how many laws have been made and revised to get us to where we are presently. I mean, there are a lot. And I am slightly overwhelmed that I have to remember all of the laws, but I am excited to educate myself.

This week we were asked to go through a few different IRIS modules. I really learned from these. I was able to think about how I would handle different situations that could realistically happen in a general classroom. Students with disabilities can create a lot of surprising situations that teachers have to deal with. It was good to really stop and think about what I would do and remember what I, as a teacher, am obligated to do.  No matter what, that child deserves an education and I have decided how to best give them that.

I feel that I have more confidence in myself knowing that if a situation comes up with a student, even in the after school program I work at, I can handle in a legally acceptable and appropriate way. I know the related services and supplementary service to suggest.

I think I helped my peers as well as them helping me this week. We really worked together on the activities in class and, together, we learned and memorized things for the test. If one of us couldn't remember a guideline or a service or a disability, another person would make up for it and we learned form each other.

This week has been filled with studying for the exam. I am memorizing all that I can and crossing my fingers I have completely absorbed the information by the time of test.