IS INCLUSION THE MOST BENEFICIAL METHOD FOR EXCEPTIONAL STUDENTS? Volunteering at Cooper Elementary, Riverwood Middle School and Miracle League Kaitlin Lebo

I chose this topic because I have always been interested in exceptional children. I was interested in becoming a resource teacher.

Research  The process and method of teaching special education children in a regular classroom- inclusion.  Students have IEP’s (individual education plan) that regular and resource teacher’s make and follow by for the school year.

Research  The special education teacher assists the regular teacher while teaching.  They can help with small groups or just specifically the exceptional student(s).  The inclusion student is able to interact with other regular students.

Research  Controversy: all special education students shouldn’t be forced to be in a regular class vs. special education kids belong in regular class because it helps them experience how the real world will be.  Can take away one-on-one time with regular education students

Research  Yes, inclusion is the most beneficial method for those students with a medium learning level or higher.  Those on lower levels and needing more help would benefit more with mainstreaming or pull-out methods.

Obstacles  Finding a graph/chart representing special education  Finding statistics  Organizing note cards  Procrastination  Researching different types of methods

Successes  Finishing paper  Length of paper  Expanding my knowledge of special education  Choosing someone to interview

Research & Product Link  Volunteering in multiple different resource classrooms.  Decide which method works best by watching other students’ experiences.  Figure out the job of resource teachers.  How students respond to each method.

Product  Volunteered at Cooper Elementary in two pull-out classrooms, one self-contained class, and a Pre-K classroom.  Shadowed an inclusion teacher at Riverwood Middle School and visited other resource classrooms.  Volunteered at Miracle League; was a ‘Buddy’ for a young girl.

My Product!

What I learned about myself  Passion for children  Big heart  Visual learner  Tend to do everything at the last minute  Need to work on communication with others  Teaching is not everything I thought it would be

My Career  Work with children  Specifically special education students  Do not want to be a teacher anymore  Might become a therapist or counselor

Experiences  Met some awesome, sweet children  Became closer with mentor and other teachers  Visited some of my old teachers  Helped me decide what I want and do not want to do in the future

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME! DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?