[nabs-l] Special Ed Certification

Fri Jan 31 12:14:07 UTC 2014

Speaking of people that do one thing and end up in another thing, I 
tried social work, but was discouraged by doctors, psychologists who 
were low quality, and Rehab.  They said it was because of a mental 
health issue.  But here's the catch: the mental health counselor said I 
was "pretending to be Arab" at the time when I was wearing a Muslim veil 
in his office.  What a discriminatory person I say.  As far as special 
ed certification, such a question should not be asked can the blind 
student avoid a student who's going to punch them. If they are injured, 
so whawt?  Everybody gets injured.  Give that certification to my 
boyfriend, who has a black belt in tai kwon do, and he'd do what he 
could to avoid his "opponent."  I don't know how to help this person, 
but it seems everybody doesn't want blind people to pursue their dreams 
and they'll find any weakness or excuse not to do so.
Beth

On 1/30/2014 8:08 PM, Joe wrote:
> Hi, what makes this difficult is that the information I'm getting is
> secondhand. The observations, as far as I understand them, are things like
> being able to correct an academic error as it is happening. How would a
> blind student avoid a child who is about to punch them? How would a blind
> person be able to assist if the child, for example, has a medical emergency?
> It's not vocational rehab that is suggesting this person teach other blind
> students. It's the certification programs at two separate universities.
> Apparently blind students in Texas have tried to gain certification but have
> been unsuccessful and have instead wound up in other career paths. I hope
> this provides a little more background. Thanks for the feedback. I think
> you're right that the individual needs to engage in a little more
> self-advocacy, but this is a case where that is easier recommended than
> carried out. If I were down there, I'd raise a little hell, but barring
> that, I'm hoping to either recommend a good advocate or make some specific
> suggestions to try to help the individual. Thanks again.
>
> --
> Twitter: @ScribblingJoe
>
> Visit my blog:
> http://joeorozco.com/blog
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bridget Walker [mailto:bridgetawalker13 at aol.com]
> Sent: Thursday, January 30, 2014 9:34 PM
> To: jsoro620 at gmail.com; National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Special Ed Certification
>
> 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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