1. What is the best way to juggle the expectations and the work of 25-30 students?
   Evaluate the class before making any decisions and once this has been done, form groups and develop lessons that will meet the needs of each group.

2.  How will I know how to deal with special needs kids?
   If there are special needs students in your class and you will know this before entering the class on the first day, then do some research on the disability.  This does not take long and there are some great resources on the internet.  Another way is to ask the teacher from the previous year about the student and how he/she dealt with them.

3.  How will I be an affective teacher to the different learning styles?
    In order to be an affective teacher to the different learning styles you must once again make sure that you are teaching to every student rather than one learning level.  It sometimes seems easier to teach the higher level students because they are grasping the concepts the first or second time they are given, but the "slower" student must be given the opportunity to learn as well.  Break the class into similar learning levels and do small group instruction when needed.

4. What is the best way to go about the different learning styles of both gifted students all the way to handicapped students?
   This depends on each individual class that you have.  There must be an assessment of the class before making any curriculum decisions.  Although there will be many learning within a classroom, the teacher must make sure that each student is being reached with the content.

5.  What are some ways to help lower-level students and "slow-learners"?
   There are many different teaching strategies that one may accommodate the slower learners.  Centers allow the students to learn at their own rate without the pressures of keeping up with everyone else in the class.  Another way to reach slower learners is by using visual to reach every student in the class, this does not eliminate the learning of any student in the class.

6.  Should I be aware of my students home life?
   Teachers should be aware of what their students are going through at home.  By having this information the teacher knows if this is the reason for learning problems.  Often times students are dealing with so many things at home they become uninterested in school work and learning.  This does not mean that they have a learning disability or that they are a slow learner.  They may just need some extra love and care from the class and the teacher.

7.  How do you juggle a curriculum for normal and handicapped children in the same classroom?
   As stated in number 6, centers are one of the best ways to juggle curriculums within a classroom of many diverse learners.  The topics covered should be the same; however, the lessons may be adapted to suit the needs of the handicapped students.  Maybe the lessons could be made easier and for the gifted students the lessons may be made more challenging.  Although a student is handicapped, the teacher must still provide them with lessons that are challenging.  If given curriculum that is too easy, they will become bored and uninterested in the content being covered.

8.  How will I know how to properly deal with students with disabilities?
    Talk to the parents of the students as well as previous teachers.  Parents are the best resource.  By talking to them about their child in the classroom, they will know that you care and are concerned about the well being of their child.  Previous teachers will know exactly what you are dealing with and will be able to provide you with some great ideas on handling the student in a learning environment.
 
 

1.  What is your opinion on inclusion?
    "Inclusion works when you have an understanding between the special educators and classroom teacher as to what needs the child has and how best to meet the needs.  It does not work if the child is not developmentally ready for the grade level setting.  If socialization is the requirement it is best accomplished during periods of less structure and not during academics.  One Down's child spends approximately 2 hours daily with my children...PE, lunch, story time and computers."

2.  Do you believe that a student can be gifted and have a learning disability at the same time?
   "I have taught at least 3 children who meet this criteria.  Giftedness is a combination of IQ and reasoning...Learning disabilities may interfere with the way by which the learning is processed but does not diminish the natural ability to learn."

3.  What do you feel is the most effective teaching strategy when dealing with diverse learners?
   "Find the modality by which they best learn, seek advice from the experts, utilize the IEP that has been written but most of all love them, praise them and support their efforts."

4.  What is the best way to prepare a class if there is a student coming in that has a handicap or disability?
    "Be honest.  If a child comes in with a broken arm you will explain to the group of children how or how it happened.  I always use my needing glasses as a limiting problem for me but that my glasses compensate for my handicap.  Teaching children to respect each other and their differences is important for your classroom congeniality, it is no different with helping them understand and respect one less fortunate."

5.  How do you keep a student that has a handicap or disability motivated?
    "As with any child you have to find their comfort level and encourage them to rise above this level.  Some children with special needs have more motivation than the general population.  Praise, rewards, stickers etc., work too."

6.  What are your views on the gifted programs that are offered at your school?
    "My children do not reap any benefits from gifted programs unless they are invited to attend some activity or performance.  The new AG curriculum doesn't include K or first grade unless we need materials for a special project."

7.  What are your views of the special education programs that are offered at your school?
    "I find that for some children the pull out programs ar the best because the distractions are at a minimum in the special educators class.  I do think Special Ed teachers are too overloaded in Watauga County."
 
 

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