I teach a regular (ha) 6th grade class with 7 identified special ed kids. I have more who are also ADD but parents refuse meds. etc.. In a class of 29 students 10 have very special needs. Am I whining or is it up to me to have a well oiled class? Some of the parents are in denial regarding their role in their child’s education. They think their kid is picked on. I am trying to research and continuously find ways to address their needs academically. It is a zoo!! I have read concrete ideas to help, but the bottom line is I grow so tired emotionally to handle all this. I get all fired up, find and implement new ideas, then I grow tired and get inconsistent. It will be a miracle if my 10 make any substantial or any gain this year. I don’t think that inclusion to this degree is a good idea. What about the 18 others?
Re: 6th grade w/ autis.ADD,ASB.,LD
Well I hope teachers have not forgotten that you do have administration to go to when you are up to your eye balls. It is the principals responsiblity to make sure you have everything you need and those students have everything they need to get a decent education. As for you picking on the kids that are not on meds, please read over what you wrote about them because you are.
Lori, I can certianly understand your frustation. That balance does not sound like a balance at all. Are the identified special education students given any services? Are they in your class all day long? If so what happened to the support staff that should be in your room? I think it is crazy for them to expect for you to be able to do it all on your own. I have seen inclusion work—but it took team work not just 1 person. I have 2 boys with special needs. The oldest 13 ADHD, inattentive type is not on meds, oh believe me we have tried but none have seemed to work. What has worked with him though is a quiet well structured class with multisenoral teaching. It does not sound like you get that chance. My youngest son who has HFA is in an instructional LD class with 10 students but his mainstream for PE, music, SS and science. When he is in the mainstream class though the LD teacher and her aide are in the classroom with the mainstream students. This works well for all involved because the extra teachers work with ALL the students so it is a win win situation. Your school district needs to change how they currently do things or there is going to be a lot of teacher burn out—plus how will students learn? Have you asked for an aide in your room? It should not be your responsibility to ask but maybe you need to.