[NOBE-L] Considering Teacher Education

Sat Jun 12 21:29:50 UTC 2021

Hi Michelle,

Thank you for reaching out. So, I agree with the sentiment that was just expressed on this thread, you are not living under an allusion and can absolutely teach students if you choose. some advice that was really helpful when I was getting started was to figure out where my interests lie, and set up good organizational systems-based on where I would be and who I would be working with. As far as skills, we are all always learning, but be prepared for technology that is constantly changing.Be OK with being introduced to platforms that may be clunky or annoying and do not let  this phase you. The most important thing is that you are able to figure things out. Also, strong mobility skills are very important. I say this because faculty, students and other adults will not take the teacher seriously if they do not present like they can travel confidently. There are a number of folks on this list who teach on different levels, so you have definitely reached out to the right people for suggestions.

I am also a braille reader and use a white cane. While I have an assistant in the classroom now, I did not always have one and that was just as effective, it really depends on your assignment and what you need to get done. I know for me, since my students are older I am  able to get past many of the print barriers by having them turn work in to me directly electronically. I provide feedback the same way. There are always exceptions though and when students present me with handwritten work I do use my assistant for reading. She also helps me out by observing the students and queuing me in on behaviors when necessary. If you are interested in working with younger children, perhaps you would consider using the assistant to help out during field trips or other outdoor activities. If you are organized, the students and faculty will pick up on your systems quickly though and it will be very obvious that you are in charge and many of the safety concerns will go away. even if it’s annoying, when people meet you with resistance and ask you insulting questions, respond with your own ideas. 

Best wishes and reach out with any questions,
V 

—
Valeria

> On Jun 12, 2021, at 11:52 AM, Shai Wolman via NOBE-L <nobe-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> Hello Michelle, 
> As being a person with a visual impairment myself who is also a braille
> reader and uses a white cane for mobility, I can tell you that you are not
> living under an illusion and that you can absolutely become a Teacher of
> blind students or Teacher of the Visually Impaired. 
> I am currently a Teacher of the Visually Impaired and I do work with an
> educational assistant who describes visual information to me. As indicated
> placing braille labels on print is something that can be done.  I do go out
> with students for gym time and we play ball out on the playground or the PE
> teacher is with them outside.  For writing tasks I ask the student what they
> wrote and evaluate that way or have them turn it in to me electronically via
> Google classroom. 
> I also will sometimes have it transcribed by the educational assistant or
> transcriber. 
> If you are being met with resistance I would say that the most important
> thing is to be confident of yourself and skills. 
> As to any blindness skills you can have at the present I would make sure
> that your technology skills are at an acceptable level that is that you have
> some means of being able to access print material either via smartphone with
> apps or some other method while in the field and that you have a good
> organizational system. 
> Feel free to reach out privately if you wish to ask more questions. 
> Thanks. 
> Shai 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NOBE-L <nobe-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Michelle Creedy via
> NOBE-L
> Sent: Saturday, June 12, 2021 7:18 AM
> To: nobe-l at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Michelle Creedy <michelle.creedy at gmail.com>
> Subject: [NOBE-L] Considering Teacher Education
> 
> Hello, 
> 
> I live in British Columbia and work in the school district as a braillist. 
> 
> I've been finding out about what it would take to do the teaching program in
> my area. 
> 
> I'm meating so much resistance! Before I'm even in the door, they are having
> issues about me being a safety concern. Of course, not having teaching
> experience, I feel lost as to how to set their minds at ease. 
> 
> I'm totally blind, a braille user and I use a white cane for mobility. 
> 
> Is this possible or am I functioning under some illusion that I can do this?
> 
> 
> Do you tend to work with an education assistant in the class who gives
> visual information to you and perhaps discerns how writing and so on is
> going? 
> 
> What about things like gym time? 
> 
> What blindness skills should I be working on if I don't have them already?
> 
> How do you deal with things like print resources and writing on the board?
> My own ideas are things like putting braille on some of the resources and
> finding resources that are also electronic. I was thinking that perhaps a
> smart board with a computer could be used with board work. 
> 
> Anyway, I probably don't know what I'm talking about here but I'm at a loss
> as to how to deal with people who tell me I can't before they know me. I'm
> so resourceful as I'm sure all of you are. My end goal is to work with blind
> children because I really have a passion for making sure our children know
> braille and have tools to empower them. 
> 
> Michelle
> 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
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