Global Special Education Initiative

Mental health should be a part of our discussions, as teachers, all year long. While the mental health of our students is important, we must also be open about our own struggles as well. https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/iowa-view/2020/05/15/during-mental-health-awareness-month-lets-talk-illness-iowa/5198796002/

We all do it. When talking about individuals within our society, we have a habit of framing them within a defining characteristic. Our behaviors, whether intentional or unintentional, may actually be pushing forward stereotypes and associations that impede our efforts to make diversity awareness a pillar in our society. Identify-first language is when we see a person as an individual before we see their attributes. For example, if we see a girl and she has brown hair, we wouldn't call her the brown-haired girl. We would say, in identity-first language, the girl with brown hair. The former implies that the girl is a part of her hair, but the latter makes the girl the focus of our attention and we can identify her attributes. When it comes to individuals with disabilities, the same protocol should be followed, as their status as human beings is primary to their disability category. Here are a few examples: YES : Boy with autism    NO : Autistic boy YES : Baby with Down Syndrome 

Reflection is the key to being successful at anything we do. In the field of teaching, reflection is one of the greatest tools for professional development bar none. Unless an educator is able to objectively analyze the teaching and learning processes that take place within his classroom every day, true learning will never each its full potential. That's why it is important to think about the why behind teaching.  What made you want to become a teacher? If you teach students with disabilities, why were you drawn to that specific group? What impact did you hope to have on students? How did you make goals and analyze their progression? Now is the perfect time to reflect, in the midst of challenges and uncertainty. Why? Because the answers to the questions that you pose will renew your strength, your hope, and your faith in what you do every day. Teaching is not an easy job, as many parents now realize as they struggle to home school their children. It is often a thankless job with

Click the link to read this AMAZING story! All teachers are awesome, but special education teachers are phenomenal! Link:  Super Surprise Photo courtesy of KOAT Albuquerque