It’s something we deal with every single day as teachers…reaching every student in the class, and, in particular, meeting needs of those with “special” needs. Let’s face it, for all practical purposes, all teachers are in fact ESE teachers. Every student has a special need or two. However, many students struggle with very difficult physical, emotional, or academic challenges. It is my task as the teacher to make sure these students are able to succeed, even when the playing field isn’t exactly level.
Not ‘business as usual’
A student may not respond to other kids, their teachers, or to what is going on in the classroom in the ways we are used to seeing. I have to find creative ways to handle these situations with fairness and compassion. This student doesn’t need to “fit in” to my class, because all are welcome. I must make sure the child knows he/she belongs.
Too much to ask?
Is this too much to ask of the classroom teacher with only a course or two in special education? For some teachers, maybe it is. So many students end up repeatedly being sent to the office, or placed in time out, or continually punished in some way for their behavior. The behavior only gets worse and the situation deteriorates until the child is “removed” to another classroom or even another school.
As the teacher, I have to keep trying to find what works for that child. It might be where the child sits in the classroom, or who the child sits next to. It might be giving the student more/less choices, or more time to finish. What about allowing the child to take a break and finish the assignment later? The possibilities are endless.
The key is to be flexible
Like it or not, the teacher must be willing to change things up. Remember, I have to find what works for that child. All too often, teachers make changes to suit themselves. No, no, no. I have to keep in mind that I am meeting someone else’s needs, not my own.
One more thing
Realize, that teachers cannot do this alone. We need the support and cooperation of parents, other teachers, and administrators in our journey with this child. Also, it is crucial that we continue to educate ourselves. Subscribe to a special needs teacher podcast. Take another ESE course. Read, read, read everything we can on the subject.
This child may learn differently and challenge us continually to be better educators. But far from being a burden, this child is truly a wonderful blessing for the teacher and for the entire class. This is the student you will never forget.
This article gets to the heart of a valuable lesson for all teachers. I think you’ve precisely identified both the problem and the solution.
When I first started teaching, I definitely had a tendency to blame students whose educational needs i was not prepared to meet: ‘If only they were more motivated…. If only they’d listen more… If they’d just do what I ask… they would succeed.’
Now I realize that helping all students overcome highly individualized impediments to the learning process is not extra work – on the contrary, it may be the single biggest part of what a teacher’s job actually is.
I put it this way: once a student is ready and motivated to learn they no longer need a teacher to help them achieve academically. It’s precisely our job to get them to that point. To throw up your hands when dealing with student’s who have unique needs is to quit before you’ve begun.
The decision to take up that mantle is the difference between deciding to be a Teacher as opposed to an adult who merely occupies a classroom.
Thank you for your thoughts, Brian. And I totally agree with you. It is our focus as teachers to help students become independent learners. Your students are blessed to have you as their teacher!