Every student matters, every student deserves the best education, but every student has different needs. Only recently had I realized the significance of public policy and the strong influence it has on both national and global citizens. If put in the wrong hands, countless issues may arise, most of them affecting human and civil rights. My interest in public policy stems from my passionate nature for equity and growth. My interest in especially education policy stems from my experiences in different classroom environments, both as a student and as an employee. My goal is to help education transcend its borders and internationally advocate changes in public policies that create obstacles in children’s educational potentials. Initially, I believed I could accomplish this goal by becoming a Special Education Teacher, but then, I recognized that with my leader-like nature and empowering persona, I …show more content…
Solutions for these students do not and should not involve only the presence of a classroom setting, but it should also involve participation in and compassion for the students’ personal lives. This realization brought me to another state of mind: there is always room for growth. MDRC’s internship provides the opportunity to assist with program operations and program development activities, support qualitative research design and assist with field research, conduct literature reviews, and more. These tasks do not stand out to me as mere intern responsibilities but rather chances for growth, progress, enlightenment, and results, both for the community and for myself. My passion for transforming education into a right rather than a privilege led me to your organization, and I believe this drive, along with my intercommunication and analytical skills, can contribute to the improvement and progression of your
My mission statement has not changed. I still feel the way about teaching as I did then. I want students to want to come to school to learn. As my education journey comes closer to the end, I have learned many strategies and techniques to help me accomplish this goal. Teaching can be challenging just a learning can be for students, making it as interesting and fun as possible will ease that in some way. I firmly believe when students have confidence in themselves they will succeed, I want to help build the confidence. I have worked with special education student long enough to see it only takes a like gain to bring a smile to their face. Sometimes climbing one step may seem as if they climbed a mountain, and I want to share in their accomplishments.
For the last four decades, the House of Congress has been crucial is putting in place quite a number of civil rights laws that aim at eliminating discrimination in all educational programs as well as all those activities that receive federal financing. The statutes include: Title VI (which prohibits race, national origin, color, and discrimination); Title IX of (Education Amendments of 1972 which seeks to ban sex discrimination in learning institutions); Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 that prohibits discrimination against disable people in public contexts: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which also forbids discrimination against disability); and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 that is meant to discourage ageism. These civil rights laws embodies a nation-wide commitment to end all forms of discrimination in the education system (Anderson & Cheslock, 2004). Such laws have been designed to assist in the delivery of the dream of the American forefathers, that all individuals, notwithstanding their age, race, color or religion should be given a chance to achieve their greatest potential.
From my experience, advocacy is the best way to provide the best educational experiences for all. The suggestions Ende makes in the article are more than appropriate and would affect the current education system in the United States in the most positive ways possible. The three solutions included in Ende’s article include: “Make sessions on policy practical, Encourage collaboration, [and] Allow policy and practice to meet” (2017). By instilling these practices into the field, reform will begin and learners will no longer be suffering from the archaic and nonsensical policies that are in currently being utilized. When transformed, the educational system should allow for teachers and other professionals to develop strategies that support and advocate for students and families. To do so, individuals
The education system is arguably the most beneficial system in the world; however, it also contains many controversial practices. Proper funding, discrimination, and curriculum are just some of the problems in today’s education system. Everyone has a different opinion about what is best for our children and it is impossible to please everyone. As long as the educational system is in tact, then there will be confusion and debate within the system and its’ administrators. The only thing that can be done is attempting to make it so that everyone will benefit equally, but this is much more difficult than one would assume. I will focus on the aspect of discrimination on minorities within special education and more specifically the following questions: Does the special education system discriminate against minorities? If so, how? What can be done, if anything, to correct or improve this system?
The students in our classrooms, both special education and general education classrooms, require individualized education to reach their full potential. Each child’s potential is different just as each child’s road to reach it is different. Our job as teachers is to be there for the student’s to help them reach their potential through their own unique way.
The issue of equality in education is not a new problem. In 1787, our federal government required all territories petitioning for statehood to provide free education for all citizens. As part of this requirement, every state constitution included, “an education clause, which typically called for a “thorough and efficient” or “uniform” system of public schools” (School Funding 6). Despite this requirement, a “uniform” system of schools has yet to be achieved in this country for a variety of reasons, many of which I will discuss later on. During the early part of th...
Two years ago, I embarked on a journey that would teach me more than I had ever imagined. As a recent college graduate, I was thrilled to finally begin my teaching career in a field I have always held close to my heart. My first two years as a special education teacher presented countless challenges, however, it also brought me great fulfillment and deepened my passion for teaching students with special needs. The experiences I have had both before and after this pivotal point in my life have undoubtedly influenced my desire to further my career in the field of special education.
The large special education student population combined with the administrative and staff turnover has posed a challenge. Ensuring all teachers and staff have the essential knowledgebase is vital, however my current role generates time restraints. EXTERNAL CONTEXT AND POLICY Education leaders influence political, social, economic, legal and cultural contexts affecting education to improve education policies and practices (6A) Understanding and Communicating Policy correlates with action plan. I will inform all members of the current legal mandates established by federal law, as safeguarding student rights is imperative. I will attend IEP and MD meetings to ensure federal mandates are applied to each child’s education pathway.
My field experience for EDUC 2130 was done at Rabun County Elementary STEM camp. The camp and its instructors had the goal of increasing the student’s awareness, knowledge, and interest in STEM. The student age groups I worked with went from kindergarten to 5th grade which gave me a wide range of behavioral, moral, and developmental stages to observe. The teachers running the program used many of the techniques we have discussed such as whole class discussions, small groups, and observational learning.
The purpose of schools today is, unfortunately, to create a well-trained rather than well-educated workforce. However, the true purpose of schooling should be to educate all students equitably, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, etc., so that they can use logic and reasoning to make informed decisions (Spring, 6). Teachers are at the frontline in the struggle to create well-educated citizens within a diverse and democratic society. This essay will examine the criteria needed to create the ideal citizen of a diverse and democratic society, as well as how I as an educator plan to integrate and promote democracy and diversity in my teaching practices.
Students have a valuable voice that should be heard and reflected in educational policy. Cook-Sather calls it the "missing voice in educational research: the student" (2002, p. 5). Before students can move into a more influential position regarding educational policies; teachers, administrators, and researchers all need to adjust the way they listen to students. The relationships that adults have with students; the institutional structures that teachers and students interact in; and the mindsets of teacher...
Have you ever imagined the world of teaching through the eyes of a special education teacher? It takes a unique person to educate children with disabilities. The career of a special education teacher is an interesting career, because you get to help children overcome obstacles and become productive citizens. The research will describe the career of a special education teacher, what is required to become a successful special education teacher, and the impact this career has on society.
To begin with, full inclusion in the education system for people with disabilities should be the first of many steps that are needed to correct the social injustices that people with disabilities currently face. Students with disabilities are far too frequently isolated and separated in the education system (Johnson). They are often provided a diluted, inferior education and denied meaningful opportunities to learn. There are many education rights for children with disabilities to p...
As I ponder over my personal professional development experiences as an educator the realization of how one has developed over time is personally satisfying. Educating children especially children with special needs is a challenge within its self. As a teacher it is important that this writer makes a positive influence with students. There are going to be certain ideas that one tries to uphold and other discriminations that one will not allow. Everyone has their own beliefs teachers should do what is necessary not to infringe on others, but show children different way to think so that they have all the information needed to make educated choices. Children are open-minded they have not yet had to deal with or understand the injustices that they will encounter. If children are taught from an early age they will have the ability to succeed especially children with special needs as an educator my main goal is teaching the purpose of public schools, and education reform. It is my purpose to influence children and be positive influence.
Special education is an incredibly important, but often underappreciated aspect of education. There is a stigma around individuals with disabilities, that leads people to assume those in special education are less capable or smart as their peers in in a strictly traditional classroom setting. That could not be farther from the truth though, and the individuals in special education are just as capable of learning and maturing in to successful adults. As a future teacher, I was not really aware of how little I knew about special education until I enrolled in this course. This course has helped change and shape my views of special education, and helped me gain a better understanding of what exceptional children are and how I can better serve them