create a collaborative environment
As a new high school level special educator at a high school, you are ready to take on the world of inclusive education, by working with a general educator to truly create a collaborative environment. You have been offered your first position co-teaching a biology class, which makes you a little nervous since this really isn’t your strongest subject. During your first few weeks, you haven’t co-planned much with the general education teacher, but you have spent more time supporting the eight students who have IEPs, two of whom are hard of hearing and one who has low vision. The classroom is equipped with a SMART board and an ELMO, both of which you have never seen the science teacher use during her lecture-based instruction.
Present a discussion to your general education teacher about the missed opportunities to incorporate the AT already in her room that is specific to the content area. Explain to your collaborating teacher how the classroom equipment (and make recommendations for other devices) supports not only your students who have sensory deficits, but may also assist others in the classroom. Include at least two additional devices specific to aiding those who are hard of hearing, and at least two for the student who has low vision.
Guided Response: Continuing in the role of the general educator, respond to at least two of your peers’ posts. Do you agree or disagree with what the other special educator has suggested? Why or why not? Respectfully suggest any alternatives that they may have missed. Be sure to use research-based facts to support your stance and cite at least one source to prove your point.
