Answer:
Students I Desire to Serve
As a future special education teacher, I am passionate about working with students who have learning disabilities and ADHD. I believe that these students have unique needs and require specialized support to achieve academic success. I am particularly interested in working with middle school students, as this is a critical time in their academic and social development. I believe that by providing these students with the necessary tools and strategies, they can overcome their challenges and reach their full potential.
Instructional Strategies
There are many research-based instructional strategies that have been proven to be effective for students with learning disabilities and ADHD. Two strategies that I plan to use when working with these students are:
1. Multi-sensory Instruction: This approach involves engaging multiple senses to help students learn and retain information. For example, when teaching a new concept, I might use visual aids, such as diagrams or pictures, along with hands-on activities and verbal explanations. This approach has been shown to be particularly effective for students with learning disabilities, as it allows them to access information in different ways.
2. Self-Regulated Strategy Development: This approach involves teaching students specific strategies for planning, organizing, and completing tasks. The goal is to help students become more independent learners and develop the skills they need to succeed academically. This approach has been shown to be effective for students with ADHD, as it helps them stay focused and on task.
Professional Skills Needed and Plan for Acquisition
As a special education teacher, there are many professional skills that I hope to develop or refine in the future to best serve my students. Two skills that I believe are particularly important are:
1. Collaboration: Working with students with learning disabilities and ADHD requires a team approach. It is important to collaborate with other professionals, such as speech therapists, occupational therapists, and school psychologists, to ensure that students receive the support they need. I plan to develop my collaboration skills by seeking out opportunities to work with other professionals and by attending professional development workshops focused on collaboration.
2. Differentiation: Students with learning disabilities and ADHD have diverse needs and require individualized support. It is important to be able to differentiate instruction to meet each student's unique needs. I plan to develop my differentiation skills by seeking out professional development opportunities focused on this topic and by working closely with my mentor teacher to learn best practices.
Personal Philosophy of Education
My personal philosophy of education is centered around the belief that all students can learn and succeed, regardless of their challenges or disabilities. I believe that it is my role as a teacher to provide students with the necessary tools and strategies to overcome their challenges and reach their full potential. I believe in a student-centered approach to teaching, where the focus is on the individual needs of each student. I believe that it is important to create a positive and inclusive learning environment where all students feel valued and supported. I also believe that it is important to involve families and other professionals in the education process to ensure that students receive the support they need both inside and outside of the classroom. Overall, my goal as a special education teacher is to empower my students to become independent learners and to help them achieve their academic and personal goals.