SPED 854 Julia Kaufman Formatted: Font:(Default) Times New Roman

Artifact One: Revisions

Personal Philosophy Statement Formatted: Centered

Being a teacher has never been, and will never be, an easy occupation. Teachers are often

overworked and underpaid. Each day the classroom will present new challenges and situations. It is

important to know, as a teacher, what the most important values are and how you want your classroom

to function. By thinking ahead and having a well-defined philosophy, you will have a better foundation

for how to deal with situations in the classroom, good and bad. It is my philosophy that each student no Deleted: Luckily, we have many historical events and
examples to learn from and use as we build individual
philosophies of teaching.
matter what age, race, or social status deserves a fair education and has the ability to learn. I believe

that subject matter should be portrayed in many different forms so that students will be motivated to

learn in whatever way is best for them. Parents and community are an important part in a students Deleted: I think that p

education and they should be kept up to date on their students progress and activities. This Deleted: Additionally,

collaboration is essential to education, especially special education.

Collaboration is defined many different ways, for a variety of settings. Interactions: Formatted: Indent: First line: 0.5"

Collaboration skills for school professionals, (2014), defines collaboration as, interpersonal Deleted: d

collaboration is a style for direct interaction between at least two coequal parties voluntarily

engaged in shared decision making as they work toward a common goal (p. 5). It essential for

general education and special education teachers to work toward the common goal of meeting

the students goals and enhancing their learning across settings. In order to do this both teachers

must share in the decision making, and the ownership of the students education. Collaboration

is essential for student growth not only in the area of academics, but also behavior and social

skills. While the special education and general education teachers are key to collaboration,

administration, support staff, and families also play a key role. Deleted:

Several factors play a role in order to ensure successful collaboration. First, adequate

time must be given to teachers to engage in said shared decision making. Second, a knowledge
SPED 854 Julia Kaufman Formatted: Font:(Default) Times New Roman
Artifact One: Revisions
of the students present levels of performance, learning styles, and a repertoire of research-based

practices must be present from all players. In order for collaboration to be successful all players

must be on the same playing field, with the same knowledge and goals in mind, coming to the

table as equals. Thirdly, for collaboration to be successful, the goal of the collaboration must be

explicitly stated. If the student is having difficulty with phonemic awareness, phonics, talking

out, social skills, etc., that issue must be specifically stated and a realistic goal set prior to the

discussion. Deleted:

It is my belief that every person, child or adult, has the ability to learn. In my years of teaching

I have found that every person can grow and succeed if given the support they require. As a special Deleted: deserve
Deleted: . I am reminded of the Albert Einstein quote:
educator, my job is to provide my students with skills they need to be successful, with the atmosphere "Everybody is a genus, but if you judge a fish by its ability to
climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is
stupid."
they need to be successful, and to be the advocate they need to be successful. I have high expectations

for every student who walks through my door. I use research-based practices, combined with

technology and understanding, to ensure each of my students meets their personal and academic

goals. In my room, I teach more than academics, as I believe a teacher should. My students are taught

respect, organization, social skills, and problem solving strategies. I believe we must help our students

to be well-rounded individuals in order to be successful members of the community. However, my

strong beliefs and unique perspective can become a barrier to successful collaboration. I do my best to

not push my beliefs on others or change their style of teaching, but instead advocate for my students

and their needs in ways that mesh with their style of teaching. Compromise, without a loss of core Deleted:

values, is essential to success in the school setting. Honesty with families regarding my teaching

practices, observations in the classroom, and students present level of performance isnt always easy,

but is essential to creating an open, collaborative relationship. Even when the conversation is difficult,

its essential to the students success. Deleted: This past year I have had a student with several
behaviors that has been quite a challenge.
SPED 854 Julia Kaufman Formatted: Font:(Default) Times New Roman
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This past year I had a student that exhibited challenging behaviors and required a one to one Formatted: Indent: First line: 0.5"

paraprofessional, as well several accommodations. Time, shared expectations, and setting differences

were barriers we ran into while collaborating with the general education teacher. Often, our

conversations were rushed because we did not have enough time to effectively communicate. Our

goals were also different. We had to find a balance between having high expectations, but realistic

expectations across settings. We had to find the balance between targeting and changing behaviors

and completing academic tasks. In the end, we overcame these barriers with open communication,

scheduled weekly meetings, and honesty regarding what we saw as being the most important behaviors

to target. Deleted:

Culture and power can also be a barrier to successful collaboration across all facets of the

school setting. Cook and Friend state, When participants in problem solving hold strong beliefs,

group problem solving may be particularly complex (p. 107). Culturally, it is each teachers

individual responsibility to remove discrimination from the classroom, including when working with

support staff and families. It is a teachers job to leave in biases, no matter what they are, at the

door. As a teacher, it is our job to see potential in every student and do our best to bring that potential

to light. In order to bring the best out in every student, we must step outside our comfort zone and

teach material in different ways, giving each student a chance to learn. This, however, can be easier

for some teachers than others. Some teachers are more knowledgeable regarding cultural differences

and differentiation for cultures. In order for collaboration to be successful all teachers must be honest Deleted: regarding culture

regarding their experience and current practices. This is where power comes into play. If one teacher

feels they have more power or are more knowledgeable than another this can completely destroy the

collaboration efforts. Teachers must come into collaborative discussions knowing that they each bring Deleted: collaboration
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Artifact One: Revisions
something unique to the table and that they are equals, not that one knows more or has more power

than the other. Deleted:

It is essential that collaboration happen as soon as students become members of the school

(Kindergarten, Pre-K), whether or not they have been identified for special education services. While

not all disabilities are identifiable at such an early age, if a teacher feels comfortable collaborating

regrading a students deficits, those deficits can be targeted and the teacher can help meet the needs of

the student early on, providing interventions for success. People learn in all different ways. Some are Deleted: teaching strategies to help them be
Deleted: ful
visual learners and need to see example problems worked out in front of them. Others need to hear a

lecture and instruction in order to learn it. Some students must figure out problems with the hands on

approach, learning by doing. I am personally a mix between a visual and hands on learner. Therefore,

it is easiest for me to teach by example, but it is my job as a teacher to incorporate all learning styles so

I can reach the students who learn differently. This is one way that teachers can collaborate.

Collaboration can include sharing teaching styles and methods, lessons, behavioral strategies, and time.

Together, teachers can decide the best instructional method to help their students, as well as share the

ways the students learn best in order to help them be successful. It is my belief that, in the end, the

point of collaboration is student success.

It is my belief that successful collaboration is rooted in honest communication, cultural

knowledge and respect, and a focus on the students success. When working with families, support

staff, administrators, or other teachers the focus must remain on the student. An understanding of

research based practices, a knowledge of cultural differences, and a willingness to compromise are the

tenants of a successful collaboration. Respect across conversations, with everyone feeling and acting

as equals is key to collaboration and student success.

Formatted: Level 2, Space Before: 0 pt, After: 12 pt, No

bullets or numbering
SPED 854 Julia Kaufman Formatted: Font:(Default) Times New Roman
Artifact One: Revisions

Source:

Friend, M., & Cook, L. (2014.). Interactions: Collaboration skills for school professionals. New Formatted: Font:Times New Roman, 12 pt
York: Longman, Chapter 1. Formatted: Font:Times New Roman, 12 pt, Font color:
Gray-80%, Condensed by 0.3 pt
Formatted: Indent: First line: 0"