Running head: EXCEPTIONALITIES 1

Students with Exceptionalities

Shameka Hatcher

Fresno Pacific University

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Teaching children with exceptionalities can be an issue for first time teachers. Since it is

more common now place for students with developmental delays or disabilities to be included in

classrooms with those that don’t share the same exceptionalities, a teacher must make

accommodations so all the children have an environment to learn in. A teacher’s role is less

about instruction and more about facilitating learning. As each child comes in with their own set

of challenges, there are a few things that can be done to help the learning environment. There are

three main things that can be done: Research, make modifications and treat all students fairly and

equally.

Research is a fundamental part of every profession. Although we complete a degree and

some post grad schooling to become educators, there is specific information that we will all need

to gather based on our classroom make-up. Inclusion is so important for students with disabilities

because it allows for them to socially feel accepted and learn at the same pace as their peers. As a

substitute teacher for my district, I have found that often classes are set up in this way and you

don’t have time to just focus attention on one student so it best if you figure out the best common

practices to smooth out the classroom tempo. There are experts in the areas of all special

education and in most schools, you can just ask the special education teachers and aides for any

assistance or suggestions to help all your students adjust.

Basic modifications can include things such as changing the seating arrangement to

accommodate wheelchair access. Changing the routine, noise levels and adding materials that

help all learning levels. A teacher should make sure the classroom materials are accessible to

every student and maintain clutter. For example: its best to remove rugs from classroom areas

since wheelchairs have trouble rolling over them or only use throw rugs that can be easily be

moved if need be. The best classroom routines are predictable. They stay the same consistently
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and it gives a sense of peace for the children. They will always know what to expect and what’s

expected of them. Teachers can also help classroom engagement by changing activities often. If

there are any children that have noise sensativites or speak a different langage at home, its best if

the noise level is consistent with learning new things. If its too loud it maybe hard to pick more

difficult concepts for some children.

As a future teacher, we would like to assume the best. We would hope that all teachers

treat students fairly and equally but that’s not the reality of every situation. It’s the job of each

individual teacher to make sure that their personal bias does not affect their teaching abilities.

Although teaching some students with exceptionalities may pose as an issue sometimes, it’s

important that every student feel safe. Facilitating good peer relationships will help with the

classroom as well. Students without disabilities can help by demonstrating positive social and

communication skills in the classrooms. Adolescents are easily influenced by their peer groups

so if the students are friendly and serve as good examples to all new students how to handle the

materials in the classroom and how to accomplish everyday tasks, then this is quite helpful.

All children come into a classroom with their own set of disabilities. Some children have

never been introduced to classroom etiquette, others haven’t been exposed to other students

socially and some have behavior issues. Whatever the case may be, all the students come with a

set of challenges that can lead to a difficulty in the learning environment. The students with

physical, visual or mental disabilities just add to the character of the classroom. I come from a

family of lots of character. We have some people that are mentally disabled, my dad is in a

wheelchair, some of my family never went to school, some have ADHD and there are also

schizophrenics. When we learn to accept everyone for what God created them to be, we realize

that we really aren’t that different and your students are the same. If we accept them for who
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they are and love on them the way the bible says, then we will do what needs to be done to

support them in the classroom.