Briana Torres-Chavez

Professor Dale Warby

EDU 203

May 8, 2019

Post Philosophy Statement

Special Education is an evolving profession that focuses on addressing students needs

and differences. My knowledge on special education has increased significantly when compared

to the beginning of this semester. ​Pursuing the chance to educate the future of Nevada has been

my dream for years. Since I can remember, there has been no profession other than being a

teacher that has crossed my mind. As a future elementary teacher I will need all the insight on

special education and this course has helped me gain some. I learned exactly what I expected to,

and even acquire some knowledge on tools I didn’t even know existed.

My Personal Philosophy statement has changed in a way when compared to my

Pre-Philosophy statement. Although, some thoughts and opinions made during my

Pre-Philosophy statement have remained the same. At the beginning of the semester I stated that

my ​philosophical orientation to teaching was progressivism. After studying this course, my

opinion remains the same. I still believe that students with special needs should be educated in a

child-centered environment. This means that the whole child has to be taken into account, as well

as his/her interest. Students are given considerable freedom to determine their educational

experiences which is fine because students with disabilities needs that. They need to be given as

much attention as needed to themselves as well as their likes and dislikes. Progressive orientation

teachers help students learn what is important to them and provide experiences that mimic
everyday life as much as possible. Studying this course helped me understand some of the

educational reforms and legislations that were passed a few years back that now protect every

student or adult with a disability. Legislations and reforms I didn’t have knowledge about until I

finished this course. During my ​Pre-Philosophy statement I stated that I wasn’t sure what the

steps to become a special education teacher were. After taking this course and talking to my

cooperative teacher, I understood that you would need to get a Bachelor’s degree in Special

Education although some employers required a Masters degree. You would have to complete a

student teaching internship in a special education classroom. You would also have to ​obtain a

state certificate for special education teachers, which is required for teaching any subject in

public schools in Nevada.​ The ​next step to take would be applying for a teaching license, and

after getting it, you would have to apply for a special education position at any of the schools

you would like to teach at.

The role of a special education teacher in the classroom is to be the mentor and educator

of his/her students. Their role is to help a student succeed and achieve their educational goals. A

special educator teacher has to act as a facilitator of learning. Overall, I view teachers as second

parents, because that’s what they are to their students. Students spend half of their time in the

classroom and half of their time at home. I believe that students with special needs learn the best

with cooperative learning. This strategy gives the students the chance to work in small groups,

while not only learning what is being taught, but by also helping their teammates learn. This

instructional strategy also generates individual responsibility. Students with special needs are

able to learn from one another and help each other reach the goal. In general, my goals for my

students with special education needs would be for them to succeed. I would want for my
students to come everyday to school and give it there all because they enjoy learning not because

their parents force them. My goal is for my special education students to succeed and meet all

their personal goals that are listed in their IEPs. The qualities an effective special education

teacher has would be patience and kind-hearted. They have to be compassionate and sensitive to

student differences. I will engage and motivate students in learning. Effective special education

teachers need to always set a good example for the students to follow. Just imagine, how can a

teacher ever motivate a student if the student sees no motivation or effort coming from the

teacher. They have to be able to communicate effectively with both the parents and students. I

truly believe that all the students have the capability of learning. Some may get there before

others but everyone will be able to reach their goal at their own pace. Teachers owe students with

special education needs their patience. Teachers can never give up on their students and need to

try over and over again if that’s necessary. They have to understand that all students are different

and learn in their own different way.