Taylor Brock

EDF 2085-22882

April 10, 2014

Exceptional Student Education Field Observations

I started and finished my field observations at Shenandoah Elementary School.

This was genuinely a wonderful experience and I really enjoyed my time there. Being in

a diversity class and knowing that I was going to visit children with learning and mental

disabilities, I was nervous and a little apprehensive. I had the privilege of meeting so

many great teachers, students, and staff and somewhat create a bond with each of them.

The children were amazing, and through this experience, I know that this is exactly what

I want to do with my future. Before my observations, I thought I wanted to be a

kindergarten teacher, and it turns out that first grade is a better option for me. After

observing, and seeing the giftedness of the students reassures me that this is what I want

to do with my future.This was the best experience any aspiring teacher could wish to

participate in, and I’m so grateful.

I visited an ESE classroom, which means Exceptional Student Education. This

classroom is a VE (varying exceptionalities) resource classroom. The VE means that the

students have varying needs or labels from SLD (specific learning disabilities) to OHI

(other health impaired- health needs: ADD, ADHD, seizures, etc.) to ASD (autism

spectrum disorder). A resource room means that all the students have a general education

homeroom teacher and come to the VE room for some of their learning needs. This

allows the students to get special attention but also to work and function in the general

education classroom. Just like any other classroom, the ESE students learned from out of

context learning.

An ESE classroom setting is very different from a regular classroom setting. The

demographics of the ESE classroom were much different from a normal classroom. ESE

classrooms have different teachers and students coming in and out throughout the day.

These students in ESE range from kindergarten to fifth grade. There are different stations

throughout the classroom with each grade learning about different things. This gives the

teachers an opportunity to work individually with the students who need it most. In a

normal classroom setting, there is one teacher and one set of students.

I had the opportunity to visit an ASD classroom, which is provided for students

with autism. The students were lovely and they were so kind to one another. However,

they were also very disobedient and insubordinate. The stereotype that I had walking into

this type of classroom, was that the students were going to be quiet and to themselves.

That we were going to be doing basic work instead of grade level work. The children

needed inclusion in many of the activities provided by the teacher, but didn’t exactly

know how. My perceptions of this class changed as soon as I got the chance to sit down

and observe their techniques and capabilities.

Through this experience, I have learned a lot about students with disabilities and

their education opportunities. While reading through the book, I came across a few

organizations for students with disabilities. One is the Individuals with Disabilities

Education Act (IDEA). This extends full education services to people identified with

disabilities. It is my ambition and my ultimate goal to one day receive my teachers

license, which would grant me the legal right to teach.Early childhood educationis my

passion and I am hoping that this portfolio can add on to my resume in hopes of one day

landing my dream job.