[nabs-l] Special Ed Certification

[Bridget Walker]

Hi Joe,

I'm working on my certification in adolescent special ed and English Ed right now. I am specializing in working with students with multiple and severe disabilities. I can tell you I am still at the undergrad level but, will be graduating next spring. 
When I complete my field hours it is tough. I am just about to start a new placement in a public high school in a mainstream English class but, there has been debate if I can really handle working with sighted students with mixed abilities. 
I can't say there is much needed in regards to observation accommodations in a field placement. Perhaps I am misunderstanding you. Can you give me an example of what might be needed?  
Is the school concerned this individual will not know what will be going on in the classroom? There are all kinds of classroom management techniques out there. This is again another place where an explanation may be needed.  
Your friend has to go in strong not coke and show she has the education. Sometimes it helps to explain some techniques you use as a teacher without vision. After all you are a teacher your job is to educate and believe it or not sometimes that includes your superiors. 
I think it is ironic the state vocational rehab agency is saying for her to go to a school for the blind to teach or become a councilor. 
I did some field placements at a school for the blind and it is no different then regular education. Do they really think blind kids are not going to act out and pull stuff over on there teachers especially if they know they are blind? I really think it is easier to teach sighted kids but that's just me. 
Vocational rehab can not tell her what to do clearly she knows what she is doing with a 4.0 GPA. Keep fighting. 
I hope this helps. 
Please feel free to contact me if you have any more questions.
Regards,
Bridget 

Sent from my iPad

> On Jan 30, 2014, at 8:49 PM, "Joe" <jsoro620 at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Hello,
> 
> 
> 
> There's a student in Texas who is having difficulty obtaining a
> certification in special education. The student has been told they would be
> better off pursuing a second Master's to become a vision itinerant teacher
> or using the credentials they have to be a counselor in the state's
> vocational rehabilitation agency. The student would rather work with general
> special ed, specifically elementary-age students with behavioral disorders.
> Unfortunately, there are a lot of concerns about making special
> accommodations and the student's independent ability to make certain
> observations. Now, I have zero experience in education, special or
> otherwise. Are there people here who have, or are, pursuing this type of
> career path who could pass along some tips for success? The student is a
> hard-working 4.0 GPA achiever. It seems generally and legally incorrect that
> placements in general special education classes suddenly disappear when the
> student informs the coordinators they are blind. Further, the student should
> not be sent to a state school for the blind by default just because the
> student is blind. Any thoughts, advice and referrals would be welcomed.
> Thanks in advance.
> 
> 
> 
> --
> 
> Twitter: @ScribblingJoe
> 
> 
> 
> Visit my blog:
> 
> http://joeorozco.com/blog
> 
> 
> 
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