I was also nervous partly because I knew nothing about what I am to do in the four hours I was there. The principal called me on Tuesday and left a message that said to come to work the next day if I can or want to. I called him back and I got his machine. So, I went without knowing anything about my duties, my start and end time, my salary (although I had a vague idea), or where I was supposed to park my car.
The people there were unprepared for me as well, and was very surprised that they have a new EA (educational assistant). Nonetheless, they were very nice and welcoming and that made me feel better. They put me in a SPED (special education) classroom which contains five of the more needier students. I was a little wary at first because I had never worked with SPED students at a one-on-one level.
We were only required to take one SPED class while I was in college, and I learned very basic stuff like ethics, what to expect at a IEP meeting, how to rearrange your classroom to make it SPED-friendly, etc. I didn't really think much about it then because SPED hardly affected me when I was in the classroom for student teaching. There was always one or two students with special needs but they always had their aide with them and they were gone after first period.
It was very much a learning experience for me on my first day of work as there were violent outburst, diaper changing, feeding, running after a student, etc. However, after that first day I learned a lot and I was more aware of what goes on behind that screened door that is a SPED classroom. The students I was working with were all so very sweet and surprisingly, I really like working with them. I was working the full six hours in the three days I was in school as they try to work out a schedule for me, but I was told I'll eventually be put in a regular classroom helping a teacher out in the four hours I am working. I'll be very sad to go.
0 comments:
Post a Comment