Every child has special needs, not only those students who have IEP's. This course has helped me understand how to assess and address each child strengths and needs in a positive and encouraging manner to foster the child’s success.

During this course, my practicum consisted of working with two students with different strengths and needs. I chose to work with two fifth grade ESL students. I prepared Language Arts and Reading lessons to accommodate their learning styles, levels, and needs. Working with these students taught me about relating to children from a different culture and respecting their values and customs. I also found that every child is learning the content at different rates and must be allowed to work at their own pace. Allowing the students to work independently with a high level of support allows the students to work at their full potential.

I was also privileged to be invited into the home of a wonderful family with a child of special needs. Listening to this families experience in the public schools with a child of special needs was inspiring. This family kept a positive attitude towards life and school and was welcomed into most classrooms with open arms. When the "child" gave her words of wisdom they were heartfelt and a gold mine. She said to always remember that children carry with them how people make them feel. To always speak with kind words and speak from the heart. She remembers her days in the public school full of encouraging words and acceptance towards her physical disability. She also vividly remembers the one teacher who made her feel like a burden. This feeling tainted her perspective and lessened her self esteem. I left their home feeling inspired and blessed to have heard their words of wisdom.