What do you do? Middle School Special Education Teacher

Shannon Gilfeather shares how an experience in elementary school started her on the path to becoming a Spokane Public Schools special education teacher.

[leannestrong]

I was a special ed student during my whole school career. When I was in my local public school (pre-k, kindergarten, first grade, and then transferred back for high school), I was in mostly mainstream classes with a one to one aide, as well as certain accommodations.

Part of what makes it hard to deal with tweens and teens with added difficulties is that it can be difficult to decipher which behaviors are just typical adolescent behaviors, and which ones are related to their difficulties.

[daphneswiateck]

She is so beautiful inside and out. I can tell she is a wonderful teacher!

[scrapinmhe]

I had a similar experience with my second grade teacher. We were supposed to draw a tree. Think lollipop tree. I drew a tree with lots of branches and colorful leaves. I was told that I didn't follow directions. The only directions were to draw a tree. I vowed to become a teacher because I didn't want to see kids being judged for being their creative selves.

[rhowell]

You and I were both 4th graders when we discovered our calling! I can tell that you are a major blessing to those you serve!

[leannestrong]

Hi, I have Asperger Syndrome, so maybe I can help you better understand middle school age students with additional difficulties. Now, I am an adult, but I was a middle school student at one point. One thing to know about us is that some of us (particularly those on the Autism Spectrum) don't easily understand when the rules don't need to be followed, even if they are at an age where most people are beginning (or have begun) to understand this. For example, when children are very young, they are often taught that fairness means everyone gets ONE cupcake. Or FOUR turns on the slide. I used to think it wasn't fair if my parents seemed to be letting my brother (two years younger than me, and non-disabled) off easy for something that would have gotten me a reprimanding, or at the very best, a good, long talking to, when I was the same age. It sometimes even made me feel like they loved him more. Here is another example. Let's imagine that a student with Autism notices a similar aged peer reading something that is more for younger children. That student might say something like, "Tommy, that is for younger kids!!! You shouldn't be reading that!!!" This student is not saying that to be mean, they are saying that because that is what they understand. This student doesn't understand that their peer is reading this because of reading or comprehension difficulties. If we notice even the slightest infraction in our perceived or learned rules, we might call you out on it right then and there, no matter who is around, and we may even decide that we do not like you anymore.

Another thing you should know about us is that, just like most other tweens and young teens, we might be starting to notice how others do things differently from how we were taught to do them. The difference is that some of us might not yet understand that others might have a different understanding of how things should be done. However, instead of doing what we see others doing, in an attempt to fit in, we might attempt to control those around us, in order to feel validated. For example, let's imagine that Shelby overhears Lisa saying to the cafeteria staff, "give me some chicken and veggie casserole, " instead of saying, "may I have some chicken and veggie casserole, please?" Shelby says to Lisa (right in front of everybody), "Lisa, you should know by now that you need to say please and thank you!!!!" Shelby is not doing this to make Lisa feel badly. She has always been taught to say please and thank you, and she is simply unaware that Lisa might not have been taught this, or might not understand this in the same way.

A third thing to remember is that we want what every other tween or teen wants, and that is to have friends, and to feel accepted and validated. We want to be able to do all of the cool things everyone else our age does, like going to the mall, hanging out with friends, going to parties, etc.

[atmajabeaumont]

So inspiring to see a teacher so committed to her own growth as well as her students. Never doubt the ripple effect your efforts will make on the world and thank you. :)

[brittanyfischer]

I was in special ed from Elementary through my sophomore year of high school after that I peer tutor in special ed I know how they feel whether you were going to accept or not

[Story_player]

It’s such a blessing seeing someone so passionate about helping others. I love this, God bless you, and every teacher who has a heart for others ❤

[phyllismontoroula]

No student should feel reject I was in SP. Edu you great. Person great job

[Sweetmotion]

I’m an RSP teacher who has experience in elementary and thinking of taking an opportunity in middle think this video might have swayed my decision! 👍🏼

[lindseyrae]

I have Aspergers and I have a dual credential in special education and gen ed. I am a special education teacher.

[Dariosqueen]

my sister and i were in special ed kindergarten through 3rd grade, but then our parents moved us to regular classes once we started 4th grade.

[mr.mcchubbs]

For some reason after I stopped having to go to special ed in 5th grade I kind of became an ableist for a while.

[liemdrake]

I am mostly was a special ed student all the way to my year when I had grad that my reading and my spilling was not really that good.

[royroy]

I am a sped elementary teacher major in general special education, I said to myself I will not teach middle school, but after watching this video, I change my mind, thanks for this video😊

[isabelcurd]

Sunch an inspiration teacher ! Thank uou for sharing your story something that happen bad to you as a child turn good !👍

[masonandace]

I have

-DMD
-ADHD
-Severe Anxiety Disorder

I currently have a 504 plan and my mother requested an IEP so they put me into title 1 until January 12, and see if my NWEA scores goes up and if not I’ll get one, but if not my mother will probably force them to test me. Even now I still get extra help so there’s this class (not title 1) it’s made just for IEP and 504 Plan students and it’s where the case manager works and 2 para’s (they both come in to help me and some other people) and I do some of my work there and do some of my assessments!!


-NWEA is New Hampshire state testing btw

[Hiphoptalkz_ikonradio]

I just got hired as a middle school special needs teacher .. this inspired me

[Ghosted_EditsYT]

Yo I also I a iep I’m getting a test for disorders soon so it will get added to my iep

[jessthehorse]

Do special education teachers help kids with anxiety, depression and OCD?