Quote of the Week

Never say you are "just" a teacher. That's like saying Clark Kent is "just" Superman.

Monday, April 11, 2016

Tips for Effective Collaboration when working with Exceptional Students, by Ellen Mattingly, Exceptional Education Teacher at MJHS

Highly qualified teachers are best suited to help children face and overcome challenges in the classroom by setting high expectations and following a set of rigorous, defined, and systematic traits.  The following is a list of essential traits exhibited in successful inclusive classrooms.

v Children thrive in an organized orderly atmosphere.  Common organization techniques include step by step scheduling of activities, students are able to proceed from simple to complex tasks utilizing transition expectations from one task to another, color coordinated folders and baskets, labeling certain areas of use in the classroom so students know where materials and assignments are placed.
v Set clear defined schedules.  Help students develop study skills for project due dates, etc.
v Provide opportunities for creativity that encourages self-esteem building and focuses on the student’s abilities not their disability.
v Teachers and students can model appropriate responses/behaviors for students struggling with appropriate socialization.  Give positive responses more than negative for appropriate socialization.
v Include students in the curriculum planning process.  Use interest inventories to start the process.  Students should be the driving force in the IEP process.  The IEP is the curriculum guide.
v Use a variety of assessments to determine if a skill is mastered for carry over.  Students thrive using cooperative learning techniques.     
v Lastly, communication is vital.  Effectively communicate and collaborate with families, students and colleagues.  When all parties have a vested interest in a student’s education success is guaranteed.

The one thing that I consistently do in is smile.  When you smile it puts everyone at ease.  So SMILE! J

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