LU Personal Perception of Special Needs Education Discussion

Reflect on your experience in the course. The reflection should address the following questions:

• How has your understanding of special education changed through this course?
• What are three practical lessons you have learned through this course?
• How has your biblical understanding of special education been changed through this course? 

and respond to 2 students:

1. 

Throughout the last eight weeks, I have been given the opportunity to expand my knowledge in different facets of Special Education. The history of Special Education that has been researched during this class has provided me a different outlook on the current state of special education and what the future holds for students with disabilities. Diving deep into the evolution of technology in Special Education was extremely interesting. From the chalkboard, to scantron, to the overhead projector and to the world of Google, technology in the world of Special Education has become prominent to its foundation. 

Three practical lessons that I have learned in this course are:

1. Special Education is defined by the foundational laws of IDEA. Looking back on the history of Special Education, students with disabilities should have been afforded more resources well before proper laws were passed. We can never change how individuals with disabilities were treated before IDEA and the continued improvements that happen each day in Special Education, but as a community of educators, and through this research, I hope that we can continue to make an impact.
2. Technology has been and will always be evolving. Advancements in technology within special education set the standard high for educators around the world to keep up, and implement the changes. Students with disabilities deserve the opportunity to access technology in ways that all other students can. I believe that it is the duty of the school districts to provide the necessary resources and professional development to ensure that students with disabilities and teachers are supported in the implementation and use of technology.
3. Within some of the research that I completed during this course, I focused a great deal of my efforts on school districts making legally sound placements in accordance to IDEA. I have realized through this research that although there is a policy in how districts should make placement decisions, prioritizing FAPE over the LRI is not always happening. Extensive knowledge in current Special Education Laws as well as the reasoning behind these laws will allow me to apply this to my future work as a Special Education Director.

My biblical understanding of special education has also evolved while taking this course. As I personally hold strong Christian values in my daily life, applying them to my daily work as a Special Educator is something that I have never done prior to this. As said in Proverbs 16:3 and I reflect, “Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts should be established.” This bible verse says it perfectly as I reflect on my biblical understanding of special education. Committing myself to furthering my studies in special education will be connected to my current biblical understanding with hopes that it evolves into something more vast and beneficial to my career.

Thank you for a great first experience as a student at LU! I am excited to see what’s next and wish all of you the very best! 

2.  

I can’t believe this course is already wrapping up. This has been such an enjoyable course for me and I have learned so much. I appreciate all of the discourse from my special education colleagues through the discussion board. It has truly opened my eyes to different viewpoints on topics I am very passionate about, forcing me to see a different side and pushing me to research further to deepen my understanding to better my teaching practices. 

Some practical lessons I have learned through this course include:

1- The importance of Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) for students. The proper LRE is vital for students with disabilities to access a curriculum that is educationally appropriate for their level of need as well as ensure interaction with peers to the maximum extent possible. While I am struggling with being an advocate for proper LRE placement for students on my caseload, it is disheartening to hear that I am not the only special educator who is experiencing push back form teachers, some special education teachers themselves, who seem to not want to be bothered by the extra effort of including our students. The lesson I have learned through reading these discussions is to always have the data to support your advocacy efforts to push for your students’ LRE. It makes a world of difference!

2- Technology in education plays a vital role for students from accessing curriculum, implementing accommodations and allowing a voice to the non-verbal. Through my years as an educator in a self-contained moderate to severe classroom, I have become passionate about Augmentative and Alternative Communication for students who are non-verbal. This piece of technology in particular has made a world of difference for my students and their families. 

3- While sometimes I feel the struggle, special education has come a long way. It was great to be reminded of the history of what special education used to look like and how much that has changed for the positive through legislation and acceptance of students with disabilities. I pray that as a society we only continue to move forward towards an even more inclusive society. 

As I continue to take more courses in pursuit of my EdS in Special Education, I am constantly finding connections through my local bible study that easily relate to our career as special educators. In a recent study in the book of Peter, a verse resonated with me and reminded me of the collaboration we must have as special educators. Chapter 3 verse 8 reads “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble” (King James Bible, 1796/2017). As educators, we must continue to be passionate about our profession by keeping the students at the heart of what we do. Good luck to you all in the rest of your journey! God bless.