Post Philosophy Statement

Azsa Osborne

EDU 203-1002

May 10, 2021

 Teaching to me is about pairing with a child and creating that natural environment

training so that learning can be fun with the accommodations needed for those with special needs

and without. This is an example of an effective teacher, being engaged and pairing with your

students. Teaching to me is working through behaviors and finding the functions of that

behavior so you can move on from it and teach the child what to do to calm down and how to

communicate those wants and needs. Teaching to me is loving what you do and making a

difference in the younger generation's lives. Teaching happens everywhere around the world. We

all learn new things daily. Whether it’s a new recipe, changing a tire, and or building a desk.

Everyone is capable of learning. We just have to find out how that person can learn. With that

my philosophy on education hasn't changed. I strongly believe that everyone can learn. \

I have been in a self contained special education classroom for 8 years. I have

worked aside 3 teachers. As a special education teacher I have seen the roles played differently.

I have worked with two specific teachers who I love, and would like for them to be my mentor.

The roles of the two special education teachers they both started out as support staff. They would

not only depend on me as the aide to only deal with changing diapers or assisting students in the

bathroom. They would get their gloves and go right ahead to do it if they were with that student.

They did not look at me as the aide to do the “dirty work”. The role of the special education

teacher is to complete the lesson plans, IEPs (Individualized Educational Plans), BIPS (Behavior

Intervention Plans), progress reports, SLPPs (student literacy performance plans), filing and

statusing in confidential folders, case manager, and a advocate for their students on their

caseload that they serve.

There are many roles of a special education teacher but To be an effective special

education teacher it takes patience, consistency, understanding, bonding and dedication. In a

special education classroom you will deal with a variety of behaviors. I myself have been hit,

spat at, kicked, hair pulled, bit, and derogatory remarks all from students. I have managed to use

de-escalations skills in moments of high behaviors. Being understanding of a students situation

is extremely important in special education and it ties in with building those relationships.

Two years ago I obtained my Registered Behavior Technician. I was able to learn a lot

about behavior management, and strategies for behavior strategies. I learned the terminology and

skills for Applied Behavior Analysis. In my opinion I feel this works best with special needs.

There is always an antecedent, behavior, and consequence. I have used this in the classroom in

small groups. I give the students a Sd (discriminative stimulus) and the student will either

respond negatively or positively. I always finish with verbal praise and a prompt of the answer.

This has come very naturally to me when I interact with my students in the classroom. I believe

they learn best that way. I feel it is also very important to pair with the students to know who

they like.

I have personal goals for students in special education. I feel that it is very important for

students to advocate for themselves, functionally communicate, and to be independent with self

help. Teaching students to functionally communicate helps them advocate for themselves and

expresses their wants, and needs if they're in pain. Being independent with self help is important

as it gives the students a sense of independence and not depending on someone else to help them

with opening food and using the restroom. I strive daily to teach my students independence with

opening their milk and other lunch items.

What I love most about special education is that anyone can learn. We all have different

ways to learn. We just have to make those connections through teaching and find the hows.

Working in the field with special needs is the only career I can imagine myself doing. Over the
years as a teachers aide I have experienced and learned a lot. With patience, dedication,

consistency, and understanding of the unique needs of special needs I plan to be the best that I

can be for the students that I serve.