[nobe-l] Questions

[Kathy Nimmer]

Danielle,
  I teach high school English to sighted kids in Indiana and have done so for nineteen years. Here is how it works for me.
1. Yes, I have an aide who is with me during the five classes I teach consecutively, plus a half hour beyond that. While I was not hired in with one, it became apparent for my particular situation, school population, subject area, and class sizes that it is very helpful to have one. I could teach without one, but it would not be as successful for me.
2. My aide inputs grades on the computer since the program is not accessible, records attendance, grades things that are objective from a key I make, makes copies, and co-handles discipline with me by either dealing with minor things on her own or alerting me to those things I can't know about myself with no vision but those that I as the teacher should handle myself. As a bonus, she is a nice addition to the positive personality and atmosphere in my classroom, though not all of my aides have been such a presence.
3. The school corporation pays her salary as a para-professional, just like all of the other paras. It is hourly with no benefits and a part-time cap. This is the only reasonable accommodation they provide me. I pay everything else: technology, readers outside of school, transportation, and anything else I need different from other teachers.

Let me know if you have any questions.
Kathy Nimmer

> Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2011 15:45:34 -0700
> From: shives1 at myactv.net
> To: nobe-l at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [nobe-l] Questions
> 
> Hi, all,
> My name is Danielle, and I am relatively new to this list. I am about to receive a master's degree in Special Education. I earned my bachelor's degree in elementary education 2 years ago. I am finally ready to look for a job! I am totally blind, but I am interested in teaching sighted children. I know it is not easy to get such a position for someone who is totally blind, but I know some of you have done it, and I was wondering if you could answer some questions for me. specifically, how many of you have an aide in your classroom, and what types of things does this person do? Also, who pays their salary? I have received conflicting information on this, so I thought I would ask those with experience. I would also be interested to know what grade or subject you teach. If anyone has any suggestions or thoughts to pass along, I would certainly appreciate it, and I will probably have more questions at some point. Thank you in advance.
> 
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