At school I am the resource teacher. Now some of you may think to yourself, "What is a resource teacher?" I will tell you. I work with students that have mild/moderate disabilities. The students may have a specific learning disability (which means they do fine in most subjects, but need help in reading, writing or math), autism (mild/moderate), emotional disturbance, other health impairments (usually kids with ADHD), intellectual impairments/mental retardation, hearing impairments, speech impairment or a communication disorder.
The kids are usually in a normal classroom for the majority of the day. I pull them out of their class for a predetermined amount of time. Some students I see only 2-3 times a week for 20-30 minutes. Other students I have for 3 hours every day.
Each student I work with has an Individual Education Program (IEP). The IEP has goals that are specific for the student. Although an IEP can have functional goals (i.e. tie shoes, brush teeth, etc.), I mostly work on academic goals with my students. The goals are very specific and measurable. I send a progress report to the parents every 9 weeks. Once a year I meet with the IEP team to update goals and evaluate the student's need for resource. We also write any accommodations the student may have in the classroom and on tests (end of year or classroom). Accommodations may include the test being read aloud, use of a multiplication chart or calculator, small group setting, multiple breaks, etc. The IEP team (which helps create the IEP) consists of the principal/vice principal, the general education teacher, the resource/special education teacher, and the parents. Depending on the services provided to the student, the psychologist, speech therapist, and/or occupational therapist may be invited. In Texas, there is a diagnostician that also attends. The diagnostician runs the meetings here. In Utah, I ran all of the meetings. Every three years, the students in special education (resource) must be re-evaluated to see if they still qualify.
Depending on the student, sometimes I am responsible for giving them a grade and sometimes the general education teacher is responsible (it is decided during the IEP meeting). Right now I am working with students in kinder, second, third, fourth and fifth grade. I am qualified/licensed to teach students in pre-school to twelfth grade.
I have really enjoyed teaching in the elementary school. The kids are really fun in elementary. I can also decorate my classroom for the season and the kids love it. My class, classroom and schedule is constantly changing as students are being added throughout the entire year. I work with the general education teachers to find a time to pull students out of class and work with them. I currently have 16 students to work with. Their needs vary, as does their length in my classroom.
Right now my classroom looks like this:
The pink chair is a favorite for students. This is the language arts side of my room.
This is the math side of my room.
I like being a resource teacher. I have learned a lot about the public education system. I feel lucky to have chosen a career that I really enjoy.
We picked up the Little Giant Ladder at Costco yesterday. It is a wonderful ladder.
Rob worked hard...
The trees look great now that they have been trimmed back. It will grow back during the spring and summer.
We picked up the Little Giant Ladder at Costco yesterday. It is a wonderful ladder.
Rob worked hard...
The trees look great now that they have been trimmed back. It will grow back during the spring and summer.
Rob really cut back the trees in the backyard. They don't fit in the garbage can right now!
This tree was hanging over into our neighbors driveway. I hope it will fill in nicely.
Here is my handiwork filling the garbage can up with the branches. It looks like a garbage tree!
Rob really cut back the trees in the backyard. They don't fit in the garbage can right now!
My dreams were about running away from animals (big ones- like lions and tigers) all that night. I have become a very vivid dreamer since becoming pregnant.
