Special Needs: Profesional thoughts

In my previous entry I described what special needs meant for me based on my personal experiences. But now, I’d like to talk in this entry about my point of view as a  future special needs teacher student.

 I’ve been attending special needs lessons at the university for three months now. I must admit that it was challenging to understand most the literature provided by the teachers during the course. Luckily, my teachers have been professional and caring and they have made sure everyone understood what it has been taught. I remember one day I approached my Special needs professor and shared with her my concerns about being my capacity to be a special needs teacher. She understood my frustrations and explain to me that many people feel the same when they get started in this field. If I compare how I felt at the beginning of my lessons and at the end of the course. I can indeed tell that I feel less overwhelmed. Maybe it’s because I have now the tools and knowledge to understand what special needs takes.  I think when you del with special children you need to be very accurate with your decisions in regards of teaching plans.

I have had the opportunity to visit schools where they look after children with learning disabilities. I visited for example, the Kompetencecenter Kalvehave in Vordingborg Kommune. Here, I have to say, teachers do a great job. I was impressed by the teachers' dedication and commitment. 

Jeppe's studying place on the left. Julia's desk on the right.

Being committed to the job. The teachers at 7/24 committed to the students. They ensured that all children received what they needed. For example, personalised teaching plans and special working places.  We, as teachers definitely have a significant influences in pupil’s life. One can see the special bond that teachers and students have a this place. 

How can we teach special needs in international schools? I don't intent to answer this question. In fact, this is one of my main concerns as international teacher education student. I believe, that it’s easier to deal with children in a homogenous context. Because of the language and cultural background.  This reminds of a case that I saw during my teaching practice. I met a Chinese student. His name was Jai, he was in the 7^th grade. He recently moved to Portugal but he didn’t speak Portuguese or English. He was having some problems to fit in the class. He lacked of social skills, he couldn’t concentrate and he preferred to play with his I-pad. How can I help him if there are cultural differences between him and I.? How can I help him if we cannot even communicate? The teacher who was in charge of his case did an amazing job. She was totally committed to Jai. She used extra of her work shift to prepare teaching material for him. She treated him with respect and surprisingly she never showed a sign of being tired or frustrated. That’s why I have great admiration for those teachers who always find the way to make sure that no child if left behind. I remember one day I approached my Special needs professor and shared with her my concerns about being my capacity to be a special needs teacher. She understood my frustrations and explain to me that many people feel the same when they get started in this field. If I compare how I felt at the beginning of my lessons and at the end of the course. I can indeed tell that I feel less overwhelmed. Maybe it’s because I have now the tools and knowledge to understand what special needs takes.e of the language and cultural background.  This reminds of a case that I saw during my teaching practice. I met a Chinese student. He was in the 7^th grade. He recently moved to Portugal but he didn’t speak Portuguese or English. He was having some problems to fit in the class. He lacked of social skills, he couldn’t concentrate and he preferred to play with his I-pad. How can I help him if there are cultural differences between him and I.? How can I help him if we cannot even communicate? The teacher who was in charge of his case did an amazing job. She was totally committed to Jai. She used extra of her work shift to prepare teaching material for him. She treated him with respect and surprisingly she never showed a sign of being tired or frustrated. That’s why I have great admiration for those teachers who always find the way to make sure that no child if left behind.