During my first semester of student teaching (spring 2017) I was placed in the Arlington School

District for Special Education. I worked with students in grades K-12 each day. I enjoyed this part of my
experience because I was able to see learners at each stage in life as well as setting goals for each of
them. I was very nervous at first to start student teaching. My biggest fear was I wouldnt like my
experience and I would dread it the rest of the semester. Needless to say, that was not the case at all. I
loved my experience at the Arlington School.

My first two weeks I was observing and helping out with inclusion classes. It was a great learning
experience to see how both of my cooperating teachers set up their schedules. I learned many great
ideas during the first two weeks, but I felt like I wasnt getting everything I wanted out of my experience.
I began teaching my third week and continued until I was done in May. Once I started teaching my
students I started picking up on more ideas and ways to help students out. I felt like I was the teacher
because I was given so many opportunities to make changes and try new ideas. I had about 12 students I
worked with daily along with being in three different inclusion classrooms. I learned quick on what
works and what doesnt work. However I did learn the hard way with one of my students. By the end of
my student teaching experience, we were close to each other. I became his go to person which was
really great to get that opportunity.

I taught a vast range of subjects and skills to my students. Some of the skills included letter
identification, sight word skills, cvc words, social skills, language Arts, algebra, geometry, and science.
These skills covered majority of my students. Once I took over these subjects I was in the spotlight, but
my cooperating teachers observed and critiqued me which I enjoyed because I was able to get feedback
most of the days. They did however step back and let me work with the student one on one which was a
great way for me to build relationships with them. Which as we know some students depend on
relationships with their teachers to get them through the day. I had a student who this was all too true
for. Once he got comfortable with me he began to come to my room each morning he got to school and
we would talk about different events that happened and way we can handle them next time. I also
assisted him with homework he needed help on. I valued this relationship very much as it showed me
just how important a teacher can be to a student.

I began to get more and more comfortable as the months passed. I felt as though I was an actual
teacher. In my inclusion classroom I was a vital part to the team. I was in a 7th grade math classroom and
also in a 3rd grade classroom. I enjoyed both experiences very much as they were completely different
experiences. In 7th grade I felt like I didnt fit in as well, but they are also older students than what I
would like to work with in a classroom. I felt right at home in the 3rd grade classroom. The classroom
teacher let me co-teach with her on some areas and this was a great experience as some special
education teachers co-teach certain classes they may be in. Overall my experience with inclusion was
great. I did spend some time in the kindergarten class as well. I observed and helped some of my
students out in the classroom as well as watched how things worked with that young of students.

One of the most memorable pieces of my student teaching experience was I had the
opportunity to write one of my students IEPs as well as conduct the meeting with the parents. This was
very intimidating at first but after small talk I felt right where I was supposed to be. I got great feedback
form my cooperating teachers as well as the principal and the parents of my student. This made me feel
great as it was my first one ever. Before I conducted my own meeting, I sat through IEP meetings and
observed how they were ran and what was all included in the meeting. I also had the opportunity to
partially test a student and also observe the testing process.

I was very sad to leave in May, as I miss all my students and the staff at the Arlington School. I
credit them for my special education knowledge and the willingness to let me take over and act like the
teacher. My experience was nothing but great and filled with many great ideas. I was fortunate to work
with students with high behavioral needs, which was my favorite part of student teaching. After my
student teaching I know for a fact that I want to teach special education when I graduate. This is where I
feel the most comfortable as well as enjoy the new challenges that arise.