Teacher Thoughts

1. How would you describe STEM education to a friend or family member in informal conversation? STEM education is an integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. There is often a misconception that each subject is a separate entity; however, STEM is a paradigm of crosscutting concepts that can be applied in the real world to solve problems. It reinforces critical thinking and common practices that are used in science, technology, engineering, and math classrooms. With that, STEM education creates critical thinkers, sets the pathway for the new generation of inventors, and increases science literacy. The world is becoming technology-dependent and STEM has an impact on technological advances especially with things like artificial intelligence, or AI. We have a duty, as teachers, to cultivate creative and innovative minds to help lead advances. 2. Why do you think STEM education is (or is not) important? There is a current push for increasing ...

Somebody Else’s Kids by Torey Hayden is a great book that provides some insight on special education. The story revolves around a class containing four students: Boo, Tomaso, Lori, and Claudia. Each student has different learning needs, but what the four students have in common is that they do not belong in other general education classes. The book is captivating from start to finish and it really made me appreciate the progress special education has made throughout the years. Back then, not much was known about learning differences and it seemed as if a majority of people did not care or were not properly educated with how to best accommodate students’ special needs. I am happy that now more and more people have a better understanding of special education and that there are laws in place to support students who require such services and accommodations. While reading, I was drawn to Lori Sjokheim who is a seven year old girl in first grade. Lori is a very sweet, s...

Students with disabilities should have access to a free education that meets their needs and 504 Plans and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) help ensure students receive appropriate services. 504 plans fall under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a civil rights law, and IEPs fall under IDEA which is an educational law (Understanding Special Education, 2016). IEPs are for students who qualify for special education because they have at least one of the 13 categorized disabilities which include autism, blindness, deafness, emotional disturbance, hearing impairment, intellectually disabled, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impaired, specific learning disability, speech or language impairment, traumatic brain injury, and visual impairment (Understanding Special Education, 2016). Students who do not qualify for special education, such as those who have ADHD, but require some form(s) of accommodations are eligible for a 504 plan (ADDitude, n.d.)...

https://www.timetoast.com/timelines/1802186 Special Education refers to specially designed instruction that meets the specific needs of a student who has a disability and its current status lies within the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, IDEA (Understanding Special Education, 2016). IDEA is a law that makes education free and available to students with disabilities across the nation and ensures that these students receive appropriate special education services (IDEA, n.d.). IDEA came into effect in 1990, was reauthorized in 1997, and then reauthorized again in 2004, which is the most current law that states and public agencies follow. Everyone has the right to learn and just because one has a disability does not make that individual less of a person. With that said, IDEA was created to improve the chances of a student with disabilities to contribute to society and develop and share their talents. Students in special education have opportunities to le...