David Lacy

SPED 854
November 23, 2015
Job Posting
https://arkansas.schoolspring.com/job.cfm?jid=2087884
For this particular position, the primary focus of collaboration would be the stakeholders
for the individual students, the parents and caregivers involved with IEP decisions. Secondarily,
collaboration would take place between the special educator and the various specialist involved
with the students (speech and reading specialists, psychologists, etc). Lastly, but certainly not
least, the general education teachers involved in the students day to day would collaborate with
the special educator, especially PE, music and art teachers, which seems to be where selfcontained students make their first inclusive forays.
For self-contained classroom instruction, the IEP is the most collaborative process the
special educator will undertake. The intensive team approach requires patience, excellent
listening skills and a willingness to compromise. The special educator must be able to convey
what is best for the student without overwhelming the parents desires or treating them
disdainfully. Finally, a special educator must be open and cognizant to the vast differences in
each and every student he or she will have, regardless of disability.
It is with that in mind that I believe I have an advantage. I have the experience of the IEP
meeting from the parents perspective, so I should be able to be a more open and understanding
listener that someone without that perspective. My primary area of weakness is simply this: I

havent had the opportunity to apply my education to the classroom, so I lack the experience of
the IEP meeting from the teachers side.