Keeping it Real

By Elizabeth Stein

“Reality 101” is the perfect title for this blog. As you begin your teaching career, your belief systems (your reality) merge with the real world (the reality of others). It can be quite overwhelming when your ideas merge with the thinking of others. As a special education teacher, you will be expected to collaborate with many colleagues—and not all will have the same belief systems as you. You will work collaboratively to make recommendations for students, or teach alongside a general education teacher who may not share your passion or philosophy, or talk with a parent who is not fully at the acceptance stage—and you may be left feeling a bit dizzy. If so…CONGRATULATIONS…you have entered the real world!

Hello fellow special educators! Welcome to one of the most rewarding professions. Let’s break here for a quick introduction…

I am a special education teacher in Long Island’s Smithtown Central School District. I teach within inclusive and resource-room settings. Teaching education courses at the college level is one way I love to share my passion for teaching and learning. Writing is another way. Thus far, my words have been published in the March 2008 edition of NEA Today. In addition, you can read my article, Teach Kids to Think and They’ll Want to Learn, in Educator’s Voice, Volume II, published by New York State United Teachers (NYSUT).  I am also pursuing National Board certification in the area of literacy.

I am beyond thrilled to be the blog host for the month of September! I have been teaching since the early '90s. When I first started, many colleagues told me that I was excited about teaching because I was new. They sighed, groaned, and said, “Wait a few years.” I remember thinking, What are they talking about? I knew way back then that my passion for teaching and learning would never dwindle. I knew it would only intensify. And it has.

I think the secret lies within building a strong sense of self.

Having a clear understanding of your own personal values is critical as you begin your career. And it can limit that feeling of “dizziness” when realities merge. With the knowledge of your beliefs, you will know what really matters to you and why you became a teacher in the first place. This becomes your focused strength. When you have your core values set…you will grow personally and professionally. And your core values will evolve as you evolve.

So what are your core values? You can begin by answering the following questions (these help me to stay focused throughout the year):

• Why did you want to become a teacher?
• What is most important to you as a teacher?
• What does effective instruction look like?
• How do you make your beliefs come alive in the classroom?
• What professional goals do you have for yourself for this school year? (Make sure to align your goals with your values to sustain the motivation, enthusiasm, and energy you will need to succeed.)

If we ask 50 teachers these questions, we are likely to get 50 different responses. And all of them would be correct. Thinking about your answers to these questions can be invigorating in that it can help you tackle the day-to-day goings-on with a clear focus.

Some resources to help fine-tune your beliefs: CEC’s mission and vision and CEC’s standards manual, What Every Special Education Teacher Must Know.

Knowing your values will help you be more deliberate in your actions and more confident about your decisions (and there are plenty of those each day!). You will find the focus and integrity to stay true to yourself and make the right decisions for each situation—all while respecting the perspective of others.

Here’s an exercise to extend your reflection of your core values. We’ve all heard this popular philosophical statement (and we all agree with it, I’m sure):

I believe all students can learn.

1. But what exactly does it mean? How would you (or do you) show this belief in your classroom? What are you and your students doing?
2. Do you think general education teachers and special education teachers have similar ideas about core values?

Comments

[Matthew Pegg]

All students can learn when their teachers have good personal and professional beliefs about education. When the teacher's personal and professional beliefs are similar, the students will succeed.

On the flip side, what if your co-teacher is hostile and does not like the co-teaching model. Are there strategies to overcome this negative response right away?

[Elizabeth Stein]

Larry,
Great connection! I think Stephen Covey's 7 habits connect to all walks of life. But the habits can definitely have additional value for educators because students learn not just from what we say...but what we do.

Your example of beginning with the end in mind is a good one. If our end is to have an effective teaching career...then I can't help but think about all those students whose lives are positively affected by our mission (which connects to this week's post about making a difference.)

Your post also made me connect to lesson planning. As special educators we plan our lessons by weaving the IEP goals into the curriculum and standards. When I plan I use this idea of beginning with the end in mind. Following the framework of Understanding by Design, by Wiggins & McTighe, my lessons begin with a focus of instructional objective(s) and essential understandings. The procedures then are built around the wish of achieving those goals. Assessment is incorporated and the conclusion of the lesson leads right back to the same goals I began my lesson with.

Getting back to Covey, thanks for sharing! You may also be interested in checking out his books aimed at specific age groups (in addition to the book for adults that you mentioned.)

His son, Sean, wrote a book aimed for teens with the same principles and habits.
Stephen Covey also wrote, The Leader in Me, geared for teachers and parents of elementary school kids.
Great information--and a way of life!

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts…it encourages others think further!
All the best!

[Larry Linebaugh]

"Having a clear understanding of your own personal values is critical as you begin your career."
"When you have your core values set…you will grow personally and professionally."

Having recently read Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, the above statements from your post reflects Covey's advice. Begin with the end in mind (our end is becoming an effective teacher) so we can measure how we are doing now, and determine the next steps we need to take to reach that goal.

On a side note, thank you for the link to What Every Special Education Teacher Must Know. I am looking forward to checking it out!

[Elizabeth Stein]

Chrissy,

...and those first year teachers may be lucky enough to become veteran teachers who still experience that "dizzy" feeling. Only the feeling becomes more focused. We learn how to interpret, organize, and channel our energies in ways that pave the way for a productive year!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

All the best!

[Chrissy B]

Thank you for pointing out the fact that being a first year teacher can make you quite "dizzy".  It is easy to say that "all students can learn" but it is truly what you make of that statement and how you go about your teaching that will help every student learn.  I also feel that you values do play a very important role in teaching and thank you for reminding me of that!

[Elizabeth Stein]

Dayle,
You bring up some great points:
1. Making time to share personal and professional beliefs, in the beginning of the year,can be the start of a very positive co-teaching relationship.

2. Planning time is critical! Preparation is an absolute must--for so many reasons!
And yes, core values are at the foundation of it all!

Dayle, Your post also aligns perfectly with this week's blog post entitled, "It's all about perspective."
We would love to hear about the other topics you discussed today--or any other thoughts you have on making inclusion work... Hope to see you there!

Its sounds like you are off to a great start this year! Thanks again for sharing!

[dayle timmons]

Today in my school Special Education teachers spent the day working with their General Education co-teachers. they spent the first two hours getting to know each other and talking about their personalities and personal non-negotiables. This session was led by a General Education Teacher who has been an inclusion teacher for several years. Then they spent an hour talking specifically about Special Education issues that included core values among other things. The restof the time was spent in planning. The teacher have this time for planning once a month and it makes ALL the difference!

[Elizabeth Stein]

Hello Everyone...

Thanks for adding your voice! It's important for teachers to remember that a solid foundation of core values can take them a long way...through a rewarding, successful career. It is that cushion we can fall back on when stress inevitably seeps in. It is the factor that keeps us focused on what we think is right for children--allowing us to give the students all we've got! And it is one of the most important variables when deciding how to make the learning process a successful one...for all...

[Rachel B.]

As a new teacher, it is good to know I am not alone because I am feeling dizzy! Thanks for the links and the great advice you provided to help me stay focused and stay true to my teaching beliefs. I am definitely going to think about aligning my teaching style while leading my students to be active learners.

[Marti Schwartz]

Great information, and your article link is extremely useful - thanks for sharing, Elizabeth! Regarding "core values", I absolutely agree...we must be true to what we believe, but first you have to know what those beliefs are, deep down inside. Thanks for keeping us on track!

[B. Clark]

Thank you Elizabeth for bringing the focus to a statement that often becomes a "catch-all" phrase. To say, "I believe all students can learn" has to be converted into action with students and with colleagues in order for it to take life and truly make a difference in teaching.