[Pibe-division] TVI Training

[Mikayla Gephart]

Thank you! I love all of your ideas, and will keep them in consideration!

Sent from my iPad

On Feb 16, 2014, at 9:33 PM, Heather Field <missheather at comcast.net> wrote:

> Hello Makayla,
> I am a teacher of blind students and I am also blind. I have been a teacher and  consultant for over 30 years.  Here are my thoughts for your consideration.
> I believe you should choose your programme not only based on its merits, but also on the acceptance and support you will receive as a blind student teacher enrolled in that programme.. Unfortunately, There is a subtle but still very problematic bias against blind teachers in most of the teacher training programmes. As well as the outstanding teacher training programme at Louisiana Tech, which embraces NFB philosophy and approach, you can be certain that you won't encounter professors who will question your competence and doubt your abilities to successfully perform your practicum teaching, maintain discipline and control your students, or your ability to safely monitor students. Over the years all of these topics have been raised on this list as student teachers were dealing with the prejudice and discrimination of faculty at various universities. Answering the questions as to how you will deal with certain situations when you, as a student teacher have never had the opportunity to develop strategies or even experience teaching classes and learn what is necessary and works for you, is incredibly traumatic for blind student teachers. Not to mention completely unfair because, students who can see don't know the answers to the kinds of questions that are usually raised with blind students either, because they haven't done practicum teaching. . Of course, blind teachers have been teaching successfully for several hundred years in this country and answers exist to the questions that professors raise with the student teachers. However, the blind student teachers usually haven't gone searching for those answers or talked much with other blind teachers when these competence questions are raised in their first year of student teaching. So, they don't have the answers for the professors and it takes a big fight to get things resolved. This is a huge extra stress for the student teachers during practicum teaching, which is an incredibly stressful time for all student teachers. The benefit of lists like this and the NFB's Division Of Blind Educators are a great resource. But, in my opinion, it is far better to choose a college where you won't have these problems, so you can focus on learning to be a great teacher.
> 
> As far as the availability of public transportation options, many students will be in the same situation as you and won't own their own car. So you will often find other students who will be taking the bus to go shopping when you do so you will meet them and be able to make new friends. Also, lots of students will have cars and you can ask them if you can ride with them when they are going places. Either mode of transport provides you with great opportunities for you to reach out and meet new people and make friends. The college I attended did not have public transportation on week-ends so I had to make friends and get rides from people. I am still friends with some of the people I met at college and we became friends going shopping, attending parties together etc. So, I would encourage you to pursue Louisiana Tech as your teacher training option. If you decide you want to do the orientation And mobility course they have, you can become dual certified as a teacher and o and M instructor, using the structured discovery method. This is a great way to go because o and m instructors are in short supply. So are teachers of blind students. So your employment outlook is bright.
> Fortunately, you have time to do your research before deciding.
> Warmest regards,
> Heather Field
> 
> 
> -----Original Message----- From: Mikayla Gephart
> Sent: Sunday, February 16, 2014 7:07 PM
> To: pibe-division at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [Pibe-division] TVI Training
> 
> Hi,
> As I have said, I want to be a TVI. I am looking at training programs, and am leaning towards the College of New Jersey and Louisiana Tech, as I live in New Jersey. What are your experiences with these and other programs.
> 
> Sent from my iPad
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