Inclusion of Special Needs Students

This week was really eye opening for me as I read a lot about the different special needs that students have, along with the different programs that are available for them to get the help that they need. During this reading I couldn't help but reflect on the time I spent from the time I was in middle school all the way through high school that I had the chance to be a "peer tutor". This was a class at my school where we got to go into the special needs classroom and work with the children. I had the chance to go sit in other classes with them, teach them math, help them read, play games with them, go grocery shopping and even go swimming once a week. One thing that I loved about this program was that it gave those children a chance to get to know their peers better. This made for a better atmosphere when we would see each other at school because they felt like they already had a friend. I also liked that in my school system those children came to a lot of the same classes I did and then they went to work on their individual needs in a different class. I felt like this was a great solution to the issue of whether or not to let them be full-time in the regular education classes.

This week I learned a lot of what shaped the influences of special education. Some of the most prominent ones the court cases that I am sure most people involved in education have heard about such as; Brown vs. Board of Education. I think this case is so important in the history of education because it really changed the way of how we can view everyone as having a right to education, regardless of abilities or color.

I also learned a lot about the key themes of special education which was interesting for me to dive deeper into this content. The more I learn about this class the more I realize there is a lot to know and I still have a long ways to go but I am really enjoying what I am learning so far. Overall, for my reflection this week I would say it has been interesting to learn more of the terms and come to understand how those are actually used in the real education field. I look forward to learning a lot more. Have a great week and remember, spread kindness to everyone!