30 Days Done

July is always an exciting time of the summer season.  It is when teachers finally get into the groove of being on break from school but also marks the beginning of planning for a new crop of students.  This brings about a world of emotions and questions.  Who will my students be?  Is what the other teachers said about the student true?  What type of unique learning needs will represented in my classroom?  As a previous general education teacher, I remember those same questions running though my head and not having the answers to them.  One question that was the most challenging to answer was the last.  What does a teacher do about the unique learning needs of his or her classroom?  Specifically how does a general education teacher meet the needs of a classroom of students who may include talented and gifted students, average learners, slow learners, and students with disabilities?  Often times this question is answered by a simple one word answer..."Differentiation". 

Differentiation.  What is it?  How does it work?  In short Differentiation of instruction is simply presented instructional materials in a variety of methods in order to meet the unique learning needs of all students.  This of course is easier said that done.  Have you ever been in a classroom of 25+ students who all require your attention?  If you have, you know this can be a helpless feeling especially if there isn't an understanding of how to address the needs of the students.  If you have never experienced this, consider yourself lucky.  It truly is daunting to look at the 25+ little faces and be entrusted with meeting ALL of their needs every day.  

So how do we differentiate instruction for students?  How does a teacher ensure that all students are gaining access to the general curriculum in a fair and rigorous environment and how do we accurately assess student progress?  In short, we do what is fair and appropriate for students and be certain that we are assessing the desired skill and not a skill that is not being worked on.  In the next posts I will discuss further ways that teachers can differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all students. 

Check out the video below as a starter to what Differentiation is.  

First off a huge Welcome to a labor of love...my blog!  I have created this blog in order to meet the need of teachers, parents, professionals, and volunteers who have the honor and privilege of working with children.  Over the years I have often questioned why I teach.  The answer is quite simple.  I love it and I love my students.  Pretty simple right?  Often times teachers place a tremendous amount of responsibility on their shoulders.  Teacher are, after all,  educating the students who will lead this world one day.  

Who am I?  This is a complex question as my roles in life are many.  Professionally I am a Special Education Teacher for an urban school district.  I have had the honor of working with students with disabilities.   The disabilities range from mild to severe to profound.  In a day I serve as an instructor, colleague, collaborator, program designer, confidant, and motivator.   I am currently in my last semester in graduate school and will obtain my Master's of Arts in Teaching degree in the fall.  This professional role has ignited many things in my life.  I am a passionate advocate for the parents and students with no voice;  The liaison between teacher and parent; An instructor of knowledge.  

I find the minds of students with disabilities to be amazing.  While most have a vision of the perfect student, there is no such thing; however, that does not limit teachers in what they can do in the classroom.  There is a world of information available to help Special Education and General Education teachers to provide the best possible learning environment for their students. 

My goal with this blog is to allow teachers a library of information that they can use in their classroom to ensure that all students are receiving instruction that is effective and aids their learning.  

Jorasims