Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Inclusion classroom from a teacher's point of view
I am currently in the middle of my second year in an inclusion classroom. The first time was two years ago at my former school. I loved it. I was really close to my SPED teacher, that particular group of students were challenging academically and behaviorally, and I learned as a teacher. That year was my second year EVER teaching, and the first year for my inclusion teacher. We had a lot of the same ideas, but ultimately we were learning together. It helped that we were not required to do it, she had another room she could pull to. We choose to do it because we thought it would be best for the students...and for us. Times were not always easy, we got on each others nerves a lot! However, it felt like our classroom. This year feels and looks completely different. My inclusion teacher and I are being forced to do this and we do not get along. This is her first year teaching sixth grade, but she has been teaching other grades for longer than I have. She does not see the value in how I teach and will often criticize what and how I approach things. I feel like she doesn't understand the rigor that these students can do...and will do if you require it. I have been successful in my teaching. My students love to learn at the end of year, I have great relationships with most of them, and at least 90% of my students pass ALL of their standardized tests. In my short career I have taught title 1, low ESOL, SPED, quiet ones, loud ones, behavior issues, students that aren't identified but will be, etc. so why is it that she can't see that whatever I am doing is working. I feel like this year is all about questioning my practices and wanting to do it a different way. What is wrong with the way that I have been teaching if it has worked on different populations for 4 years. 4 consistent years of success....why do we have to mess with success? I know I can learn things from her, but her attitude makes me not want to. Administration of course only compounds things and it makes me wonder is there any reason to stay in the classroom? It is almost like people don't want me to be successful....or want to push me so hard until I break.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I am a special education teacher who has been in your shoes. Sounds to me like your ICT isn't happy with sharing. Did she choose this position or was she forced? Most teachers, in my opinion and myself included, are control freaks. She wants the control. She sees herself as your "senior" and thinks she knows it all. I would somehow find it within yourself to give backhanded compliments and accept her opinions just as that, opinions. Be gracious in that she is offering another method of teaching said subject. For example: You are teaching a lesson on Order of Operations. You have given an anchor chart, 15 minutes of direct whole class instruction and then give the students a partner activity. She thinks that you should give out 15 handouts, 1 hour of direct whole group, and forget the partners. I would graciously reply with "Thank you for that, next year I might include some of your brilliant ideas!" Hopefully she will blow a gasket and get out of your room. If she has a problem with how difficult your lessons are she should be pulling her students anyways for differentiation, right? Be confident that you know what is best for your students and either she can work with you or against you. Just always take the higher road. Holy cow!! Sorry for the rant. I just was discussing this same situation with a colleague of mine. Sounds like this is a common situation these days. Good luck! And be positive....this too shall pass.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I needed to read this today. :)
ReplyDelete