1

My Post Philosophy Statement

Trinity Baker

College of Southern Nevada

EDU 203: Intro to special education

Dr. Dale Warby

March 9, 2022
 2

When I was asked my philosophy of education at the beginning of the year, I had a hard

time including the special education aspect within my essay. I personally think this was because

a lack of knowledge of all that goes into special education classrooms. I wasn’t aware of the

dedication and tenacity that goes into special education. After completing my field observation

and introduction to special education class, I can finally tell you my true philosophy of

education. Special education teachers are simply superheroes who happen to live on earth.

Special education teachers are expected to assess students’ skills, determine their needs,

formulate, and organize lessons to help each students achieve their goals, and write

individualized education plans; and that’s only to name a few. A lot of collaboration,

communication and work goes into making sure students learn. Before taking this special

education class I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be a teacher. I felt so much doubt, I was worried I

wasn’t smart enough, or nice enough, or assertive enough. These doubts were starting to fill my

head and I became so depressed, I didn’t do any schoolwork and I simply just felt hopeless. I was

so worried because I thought I had finally figured out where I belong in this unsure world. A few

weeks into the class I instantly became intrigued with what I was learning, and before I knew it, I

was excited to learn again. Every week I learned something new about a topic I didn’t know

much about. I think so many people are ignorant when it comes to exactly what goes into special

education and how hard teachers work to help their students achieve their goals. A couple weeks

into the class I saw an assignment posted called “field observations,” I remember how excited

but nervous I felt in that moment. Leading up till the day I went, I had so much anxiety because I

wasn’t sure how’d it go or what I would do. As soon as I walked through the doors, everything

felt right. I just knew that this is where I belonged. I walked up to my cooperating teacher’s

classroom quickly looking around to take in all the beautiful scribbles and assignments plastered
 3

on the wall. When we went to get the students off the bus, I suddenly felt another wave of

anxiety wash over me, I was worried about what the kids would think or say to me. The first

student came in and immediately said hello to me and introduced herself. As she was talking to

me, I felt my anxiety slowly dissipate and I once again knew that this was where I belonged.

After observing Mrs. Fuqua’s class, I can truly say that she has reinspired me to become a

teacher. Special education teachers and general education teachers use their classroom as a safe

place for students. Teachers advocate for their students’ needs and help plan lessons and

resources to help students succeed. My favorite part is that each teacher has his or her own

special method or strategy for teaching students. A great teacher uses a variety of teaching styles

to help reach a variety of learning styles. Teachers are selfless and do things for the good of

others. While I was in Mrs. Fuqua’s class, she showed me the items she had bought for her

students, one was the talking sorting hat, and the other was a Harry Potter wand. I had asked

Mrs. Fuqua why she bought these items for her students, and she replied and said, “they deserve

it, they’ve been doing such a great job marking off their target behaviors, so I told them I would

get them something special.” After I heard those words, I smiled from ear to ear. I whispered to

myself “that is the kind of teacher I want to be.” I want to be the teacher who cares so greatly for

her students that she goes out and buys fun little rewards for their efforts. I want to be the teacher

who doesn’t see race, gender, or disability, but instead sees the student for what they are. All

students have the chance to be something great and all they need are teachers to help get them

there. I want to be the teacher who creates a world of unity, by providing books on different

cultures and making sure that students know it is more than okay to be them. I want my students

to wake up excited for my class and go to bed even more excited for my class the next day. I

want my students to know I care about their feelings and their thoughts. I want to create the
 4

environment that I wish I would’ve had growing up, an environment that doesn’t judge, but

rather helps. After walking through those glass doors, I knew that being an elementary school

teacher is the only thing for me. In my opinion, is no greater reward than seeing how happy a

child is when they answer a question right or ace a test. There is no greater reward in life than

being a teacher and I will stop at nothing to make sure I make a long-lasting impact on all my

students.