Running Head: END REFLECTION ASSIGNMENT

End Reflection Assignment

Andrea G Haines
Ivy Tech Community College

END REFLECTION ASSIGNMENT

Teaching children with special needs is no easy task, but when someone has the passion
for teaching special needs students, they can accomplish the impossible. If I was given the
opportunity to teach a whole class with special needs children, I would not be opposed to it.
However it wouldnt be my first choice. In order for me to provide students with the best
learning experience I would have to have proper training on that field, which I am not currently
pursuing in my career. Taking the course of EDUC 230: "The Exceptional Child" has been an
eye opening experience. A teacher has many tasks in a classroom, and we have to have as much
knowledge as possible in every important area of education. Being able to accommodate students
with special needs is a must, and the only way to know how to do so, is by having prior
knowledge on this subject. The main idea of No Child Left Behind is that every child gets a fair
chance at learning, no matter the circumstances.Having a good classroom environment that
encourages inclusion makes exceptional learners feel and know they have the capability of being
independent. Making the proper accommodations and modifications to the curriculum can make
a difference for students with special needs. It is our responsibility to provide all students, with
or without special needs, with the right tools to meet their learning needs.
When it comes to what I want to teach, Special Education is not my focus. I would be
interested in taking training in case the occasion might arise, but I don't currently have a special
interest on the subject. I just simply have other goals for when I teach. It is important to consider
that "teaching students with disabilities is a two person job... however, the popular co-teaching
model of collaboration can't provide the kind of intensive instruction that students with learning
disabilities and behavior disorders require if they are to make adequate progress" (Hallahan,
2012, p. 38). Since I wrote my beginning reflection, I have become more open minded to
teaching students with special needs in a general classroom. I believe part of my change of

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thought was thanks to what i got to experience during service learning as well as how I
progressed on the class readings. I just feel I might have potential to help in this area of
education if needed. "Striving for excellence is admirable, but recognizing one's real-world
limitations, keeping one's duties and accomplishments in perspective, and being happy with the
best one can do, even if it's less than perfection, is as important for teachers as it is for students"
(Hallahan, 2012, p.39), and that is really what I want to focus on.

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Reflection
Hallahan, D. P., Kauffman, J. M., & Pullen, P. C. (2012). Current Practices for Meeting the
Needs of Exceptional Learners. Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special
Education (12th Edition). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: PEARSON Education, Inc.