Have you ever gone through a period in life that seems completely out of your control? Have you ever faced changes that were unasked for and uncertain? That's been my life since January. Granted, I asked to take my Ed Tech Endorsement class which I knew committed me to a year of extra and very hard labor. AND I accepted the chance to act as president of Utah's Romance Writers of America. But I hadn't anticipated the amazing changes that would move me to leave my job of seven years and accept another job I would never have asked forg.
So, here I am. Facing just four more months before I complete the endorsement and retire from my office. But more important, I am now a cluster teacher. Cluster teachers work with students who are so impacted by their disabilities they can't compete even in resource special ed classes. I've always admired cluster teachers. I've wondered how they can manage to teach a variety of subjects to students with a variety of disabilities. It is differentiation at its most extreme.
Well, here I am. And I am loving it! I currently have six students and will have seven by next week, possibly another shortly after that. It's the nature of SPED to see your class sizes grow through the year. I love my students. Yes, they are challenging - but they are also amazing! I have enough computers in my classroom for each child. I've already got them blogging and finding great success. I've warned them they are my guinea pigs and we'll be trying to learn how to use every piece of technology I can get my hands on.
I've been taught that today's students are hardwired for technological input. This year I get to see if I can increase my students' abilities based on everything I've learned. This year I'll explore how difficult it is to implement everything I've learned, and what difference it makes in my classroom.
Wish me luck!
So, here I am. Facing just four more months before I complete the endorsement and retire from my office. But more important, I am now a cluster teacher. Cluster teachers work with students who are so impacted by their disabilities they can't compete even in resource special ed classes. I've always admired cluster teachers. I've wondered how they can manage to teach a variety of subjects to students with a variety of disabilities. It is differentiation at its most extreme.
Well, here I am. And I am loving it! I currently have six students and will have seven by next week, possibly another shortly after that. It's the nature of SPED to see your class sizes grow through the year. I love my students. Yes, they are challenging - but they are also amazing! I have enough computers in my classroom for each child. I've already got them blogging and finding great success. I've warned them they are my guinea pigs and we'll be trying to learn how to use every piece of technology I can get my hands on.
I've been taught that today's students are hardwired for technological input. This year I get to see if I can increase my students' abilities based on everything I've learned. This year I'll explore how difficult it is to implement everything I've learned, and what difference it makes in my classroom.
Wish me luck!
