1. Which of the Special Education Disability categories would you feel the most apprehensive about having in your classroom? Why?

Ever since I heard the term inclusion last semester I became very afraid and intimidated of the thought that I would have to teach children with learning disabilities. The learning disability I had most feared before stepping into this class was students with autism. However, after having hearing the lecture on emotionally disturbed students, I now feel this LD as the most apprehensive.

I’m mostly afraid that I’m going to tick one of these kids off. I have a very sarcastic sense of humor. I had friends that would call me Chandler. It’s that bad sometimes. I’m going to really have to control myself. I’m not trying to make fun at anyone. I just notice when things are off that I have to make a ridiculous comment about it. I know when people are being manipulative. So, a kid with this disability knows the game, the rules, and how to get away with things and I can sense that. I’m concerned that one of these kids might lash out at me and I’m not going to know the right way to handle it. As from one of the lectures, the story was told that an LD student spat on a teacher and the teacher spat back at him. I don’t want to be that guy.

Hopefully, I’ll take heed of the behavioral management that was taught in class. I hope to remember some when I start teaching, which will enable me to be somewhat prepared to handle emotional disturbance.

2. Which of the Special Education Disabilities categories would you feel the least apprehensive about having in your classroom? Why?

I feel least apprehensive of children with speech or language impairments because these students do not pose a significant physical threat to me. At least I hope they don’t. Basically, from the aforementioned question and this one, I’m more worried about what to do when I’m physical threatened. I don’t know why. I can easily be threatened by students with what is considered normal behavior, too.

3. How do you feel, in general, about the concept of Inclusion of students with disabilities in the regular education classroom? Why?

The videos “Educating Peter” and “Graduating Peter” actually opened my eyes. When I was in high school, children with special needs were kept separated from the mainstream classroom. I only saw LD children every once in a while. It was almost a special occasion when I did see them. Fast forward some ten years later when I find out about inclusion and I’m nervous.

I’m going to have a hard time as a first year teacher just trying to get through the year without screwing up too bad. And now I have to worry about having an LD child in the classroom in which I have no experience. The children in Peter’s classroom had a hard time with his behavior. Peter was kicking, hitting, and being a plain annoyance. The other kids had to adjust their behavior to accommodate to Peter’s. The kids were very kind to Peter. This one kid got kicked in the head by him and everyone just told him, “No.” I thought this to be a huge distracting and not fair to either Peter, the teacher, and students.

The teacher in the video gave a lecture last semester in my Ed Psych class. She was very proud of Peter’s accomplishments and optimistic that inclusion is right. I, on the other hand, do not consider it to be a great idea. I’m only thinking on the level of a first or second year teacher who probably won’t be able to fully understand or help out the LD child. I believe when it comes to inclusion nobody wins. Everyone loses, especially the students.

4. How do you feel about the inclusion of students with MILD disabilities in YOUR classroom? Why?

Although I feel strongly against inclusion, children with mild disabilities will have more of a chance to advance in mainstream classrooms than students with severe disabilities.

5. How do you feel about the inclusion of students with MODERATE/SEVERE disabilities in YOUR classroom? Why?

I wholeheartedly believe that students with severe LD do not belong in a mainstream classroom. If it’s mine or someone else’s classroom, severe LD students cannot possibility be able to benefit from inclusion. When a student’s behavior becomes disruptive it affects the rest of the class. Students will not be able to do their work effectively.

6. How much EXTRA time do you feel that having students with disabilities will add to your weekly schedule and work requirements? Why do you feel this way? Is it reasonable?

I answered seven to nine hours on the cover sheet. It sounds a lot. If I’m put in a situation where I have to work more hours then I’ll do it because I’ll yet to have the experience and knowledge to work effectively. I know when I begin I may work harder and longer and not smarter. I’m a firm believer in working smarter not harder. So, I’ll have to be able to manage my classroom better and work hard to provide those with needs successfully as I gain wisdom and experience.

7. How prepared do you feel to work with students with disabilities in your classroom? Why do you feel this way? What will you do when you get the student from question #1 in your classroom?

I do not know how I’m going to handle working with students with disabilities. I know that I’m going to be reluctant at first and a little apprehensive. These kids can say or do pretty much anything, and if I’m not prepared then I’m not going to handle the situation appropriately.

When I get the student with ED, I’m probably going to freak out, because more than likely he or she is going to look normal. Compared to ED students, autism and other severe LD does not seem so bad because I will know what to expect. But ED students can be very manipulative.

Concluding Thoughts

At this crossroads in my life I know that I want to teach. I’m not going to change my mind about it, even after having taking this class. If someone had told me ten years ago, when I graduated high school that I would be in graduate school pursuing a career in teaching I would have laughed in their faces. I never took school seriously. However, many changes have occurred in my life and I’m a completely different person now. Therefore, I believe based on situations I’ve encountered and experiences that I’ve been through in my life that I’ll be able to adapt and overcome any situation that a particular school system may offer my way. If it means that I’ll have to teach LD students, then I’ll do it. I may not like it or feel comfortable with it, but at least I’ll have a job. Most importantly, I’ll be doing something that I’ve grown to love over the past years.