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Philosophy of Special Education

Madison Martinez

Introduction to Special Education 203

Philosophy Paper

Sat. October 03, 2020

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Special education is a subject that involves students with several abilities, goals, and

backgrounds. Each student brings something different to the table and as a teacher, it's our job to

understand these elements and reflect it into our teaching. Personally, my philosophy on teaching

involves enhancing each student and their uniqueness and advocate inclusivity between student

to student relationships.

As a special education teacher, I aspire to leave life-long lessons on my students. I want

to emphasize that special education focuses more on behavior, social, and intellectual

development rather than a general education classroom. Special education adjoins community-

based preparation along with comprehensive learning that indubitably determines their

functionality after graduation. Grossly acting on social graces, languages, and morals alongside

academic learning.

Further, prioritizing each pupil’s Individual Education Plan is a vital division to the

students' education. “IEPs are important because of their holistic nature. IEPs are concerned with

achieving a clearer understanding of the entire child, including areas of strength. There is

sufficient space within an IEP to describe the child in detail, including likes, dislikes, academic

interests, family structure and extracurricular activities.” According to Arkansas State

University's study. Considering the areas IEP’s target, it would be unreasonable to standardize a

set of principles for a group of special education students. It's the right of each student to have

sole ideals, goals, and aspirations. As a teacher we must rule out contrasting between each

student, and design decrite lessons and organizations for the individuals. To put into perspective,

if I were to tell a fish and a monkey to climb a tree, it would be illegitimate because the natural

makeup of a fish is incomparable to a monkey; however, making it harder for the fish to conquer

the job. With help from my philosophy of teaching, I will provide that ‘fish’ the resources and
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tools they need to achieve the task. Meanwhile, supplying the ‘monkey’ techniques they will

need to climb that hypothetical tree to ensure he/she never misses out on a lesson.

Before the 1970’s the topic of special education was discredited. The students were

victimized with inadequate teaching due to the lack of attention and care of people with

disabilities; therefore, resulting in substandard resources and materials, alongside exclusion from

extracurricular activities and heterological settings. To justify these issues, various laws like the

Individuals with Disabilities Act was established, which enforces the least restrictive

environment for people with disabilities. This pledges inclusivity between student to student

relationships, and guarantees students with disabilities have an appropriate education. In today’s

time honoring inclusion in the classrooms is difficult. Since Covid-19 hit the charts, children of

all abilities were sentenced to remote learning, producing isolation from students and teachers;

and because special education anchors onto social behaviors, it's nearly impossible to relay that

into the daily teachings. My philosophy on this is to guarantee time for each student. Designate

time for one-on-one teaching, then hybrid with general education students, and finally a self

contained classroom. This ensures you hit all aspects of your typical routine. Alternatively, I

would also promote safe recreational activities, events of all kinds, and alternative occurrences

where these students can continue using social behaviors. I would urge my students to do

alternative behavioral and social practices so they don't miss out on that important lesson that

school offers.

I agree that the role of a special education teacher lives more than inside the school

building, but outside of the classroom. It's essential that teachers connect to their students and

parents personally. I believe in these unprecedented times, teachers must use this fraction of the

job as a backbone for our teaching in order for students to grow. A teacher's philosophy on
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education impacts more than just themselves, but he studenstas well. It’s important to be patient

with each individual and focus on the little things to overall get to the big picture. Within my

philosophy, I want to highlight one key point, to include each student despite abilities, goals,

and backgrounds; I believe this leaves an ever-lasting impact emotionally, socially and

behaviorally, which in my opinion, leaves the greatest lesson of all.

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Reference page

“Understanding IEP Law and Special Education.” Understanding Special Education:A

Parent Guide, www.understandingspecialeducation.com/IEP-law.html.

“IEPs Are Important Because Special Education Is Important.” A-State Online,

degree.astate.edu/articles/k-12-education/ieps-are-important-because-special-education-

students-are-important.aspx.

‌“Writing Your Teaching Philosophy | Center for Educational Innovation.”

Cei.Umn.Edu, cei.umn.edu/writing-your-teaching-philosophy.

‌
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