REFLECTION #2

After watching the video titled, The World of Transition, I

learned more about the transition process and what postsecondary
education options exists for students with disabilities. The video
interviewed four different adults with special needs and their families.
These interviews gave great insight into the transition process and
what the process is like for an advocate of an adult with special needs.
As a future educator, I agree with the mother who emphasized creating
transition goals early. Educators need to start with the end in mind for
students. By doing this, students IEPs will be more applicable for
instilling in them skills that will benefit them in the future.
Before getting more involved in the special needs community, I
was unaware that there were options for students with severe
disabilities to go to college. I assumed that because they were lower
functioning or required more supports, college was out of reach.
However, students like Shaun in the video do have the ability to go to
college. I was amazed when Shauns mother explained that they began
his vision statement when he was in kindergarten. Starting early
enables students to have better postsecondary outcomes. Due to
going to a private Christian school, I never saw my high school
teachers creating IEPs or transition goals. However, when thinking
about my own education, I realize now that my teachers were doing
the same thing that Shauns teachers did. When I was still young, my
teachers began thinking about my future and creating curricula and
opportunities that enabled me to reach my fullest potential. Although
students with special needs will need more supports and planning,
they deserve to have teachers that help them to reach their fullest
potential. When I become an educator, I want to ensure that every
student is given the time and attention they need to succeed after high
school. Whether it is extra time spent on creating an effective lesson
plan or doing further assessments, I want to help prepare my students
for life after high school. My hope is that they will each become
productive members of society. Some students may go on to college
while others work in supported employment. Whatever their path may
be, I want to help each student to reach their fullest potential.
As I have grown in my knowledge and understanding of people
with disabilities, I become more aware of my own biases. While
watching this video, I found myself amazed by the jobs that the adults
were holding. Quickly, I became ashamed of myself. I have often said
that I do not want to judge a person by his or her disability. However, I
was doing just that while watching this short video. When I saw that
Briana was working doing data entry at a courthouse, I was shocked.
My reaction is something that I am not proud of. I should never assume
that a person cannot hold a certain job just because he or she has a
certain disability. A mindset such as this is biased and inappropriate. If I

were to continue acting on this bias, I would prevent students from

getting the best postsecondary outcomes that they could. As a future
educator, I want to continue to become aware of my own biases and
figure out ways to ensure that they do not affect my students.
Preventing this from happening will take work and honest selfevaluation. Although it will be difficult, the end result will be worth the
effort.
Reflecting on this video and the information I gathered from it, I
realize how important transition planning is and how much forethought
it entails. Transition planning is not something that can simply be
started at the students legal age. There should be time, effort, and
though put into it early on in the childs education. Educators should
start with the end in mind for each student. Although legally Texas
educators are not required to begin the transition process until a
student turns 14 years old, some students would benefit from the
process being started much sooner. When transition plans are being
created, advocates should ensure that the plan is individualized and
fitting for the student. Steps such as these will enable students to have
a succession transition from high school into their postsecondary
outcomes and gain as much independence as possible.