Running head: Pre-Philosophy Statement 1

Pre-Philosophy Statement

Janette Briones

EDU 203
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Personal Philosophy of Special Education

My only knowledge about special education is that children are placed in certain

classrooms depending on their disability and depending on their progress. The better the

progress, the more likely they can be placed into regular classrooms. Even with my little

knowledge, I am choosing this profession because I want to make sure that students with

disabilities have the same opportunities in life as those who do not have disabilities. For

example, job opportunities, social skills, day to day activities, and to live a comfortable life.

After searching the different types of psychological perspectives, my understanding of

behaviorism would be that “repetition of a meaningful connection results in learning.” (Cohen,

1999) I truly believe that repetition helps retain the information received. It is crucial, especially

for the younger students. An experience with repetition is when I help my brother with his

homework. My brother has Down Syndrome and developmental delay and I repeat how to draw

or say letters and numbers and have him do it after me.

I do not have much understanding of the Clark County school system but will be looking

in to it for my placement and observation hours and for my future job. But historical events also

help to understand students and schools, it taught me the struggle people went through for people

with disabilities to be treated and taught properly. If I want to be an educator, I must remember

those struggles and make sure that I am teaching with all my passion and devotion to help these

children.

Strategies that I can implement are to set clear expectations for all students, share my

ideas with parents so they can help at home, and develop a reward system to encourage good

behavior. I also must develop, evaluate, and adapt lesson plans as needed, while verifying

student responses to the lessons. What students need are educators with patience to teach, and to
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be able to use different teaching methods to cater to the different ways students learn. While

attending college, I will make sure to challenge myself and to lose the fear of asking questions.

Also, during my field observation I will do my best to absorb as much information and

experience to help me in the future.

Those planning to have a career in Special Education should understand that this

profession is not just for money, this is a career dedicated to help the lives of people with

disabilities. They need empathy, compassion, resilience, and the ability to love. To move

forward, I plan to receive an Associate degree in Special Education and then become an assistant

teacher. After receiving adequate amount of experience in a classroom, I will aim for a

Bachelor’s degree to apply for a teaching position.

Throughout this eight week course, I hope to be able to understand the most important

laws that deal with Special Education and to understand an IEP. My main goal is to learn and be

able to apply effective teaching and learning methods.

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References

Cohen, L. M. (1999). PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES IN EDUCATION. Retrieved from

https://oregonstate.edu/instruct/ed416/PP4.html