Courtney Lichtenwalner 1

Introduction

State the purpose of this paper. Add any additional material.

To state my educational philosophy regarding one specific disability

Theoretical Framework

What educational philosophy dictates your current beliefs about special education? Why do you

subscribe to that educational philosophy? How have the knowledge you have acquired in this

course and your experiences from the community engaged learning shaped the way you view the

education of individuals with exceptionalities?

In part one of my educational philosophy, I stated that I subscribed to Perennialism as my

teaching philosophy. This continues to be the philosophy in which I believe best represents my

thoughts and feelings on special education. Perennialism allows the educator to teach their

students strong moral principles and values that help them to become not only successful in

school, but in life. This philosophy also helps the students to develop their own ideas on things,

while being prepared with facts when entering the real world.

Unfortunately, I believe the community has a poor outlook on special education. I do not

think that the majority considers all of what encompasses a special education classroom. A lot of

this has to do with the public not being properly educated and an ignorance is bliss attitude

pertaining to those whom receive a special education. With that being said though, from this

course, I have learned that by becoming an educator, I can help to spread awareness when

necessary of what exactly a special education includes and really means. These students are truly

given the chance to thrive within a school environment when it is appropriate and that has
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opened my eyes and I think if the majority knew that as well would change the outlook for them

as well.

Practice

How has federal law shaped the way in which the field of special education services students

with exceptionalities? With what type of disability would you prefer to work? What

characteristics of this disability are important to know when working with individuals? Who is

an important figure within this disability field and how did s/he make an impact?

Federal law has helped to make special educations, or even education in general,

available to those that may not have ever had the chance to receive it otherwise. By passing laws

like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), it has opened an entirely new world

for children and adults alike making it possible to attend school and to make a life for themselves

when at one point in history, they never would have been given the chance. These students are

guaranteed a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE), which means just because they are

disabled, they cannot be turned away and are given a proper education. These are just two

examples of laws that have been written to assist these students and make sure that everyone is

included and entitled to an education.

If I had to choose a disability to work with, it would be with individuals with hearing

impairments. I have a great interest in deaf culture and American Sign Language (ASL). For

many years I had contemplated becoming an interpreter before deciding to become a teacher.

Even at this point I still may return to school after finishing my Education degree and continue

with a degree in Deaf studies. I would enjoy nothing more than having the opportunity to work

and teach in a deaf school.

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As for the disability itself, I think there are many misconceptions when it comes to an

individual who is deaf. Immediately I think of the people that upon learning of someone who has

hearing loss, they begin to speak louder. Im not sure if this is an act that people do without even

realizing it, or if they really do think that the person on the receiving end will hear them. Either

way, this reaction is not only rude, it is wrong. Another thing that is misunderstood is that not

every person that is deaf is born that way. In fact, whether it is disease, aging, or injury, many

individuals with hearing loss have this occur at some point in their lives. There are also varying

degrees of hearing loss. There is so much to be said about hearing impairment and it is important

to know all of these things when it comes to working with these individuals. Communication is

another incredibly important factor. While I think ASL is a beautiful language, not every person

who is deaf knows ASL. Some people are able to speak, some do sign, while others use a pad of

paper and a pen. It is important to know how that individual wants to communicate whether it be

inside or outside of a school environment.

An integral person within the deaf community was Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet. In the

1800s, he helped to open the first school for students with hearing impairments. That school is

now known as the American School for the Deaf, but without his efforts may have never existed.

Before this school, many children that were deaf just did not attend school because there were no

proper resources for them within the educational environment. Gallaudets work not only helped

to give these students a school, but it also helped them to receive the education that they so

desperately needed and wanted. Gallaudet University, the first college of the deaf, was officially

established in 1864.
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Evidence-Based Practices and Strategies

In what specific area would you like to focus your studies? Reading, Math, Science,

Communication, Daily Living, etc.? What types of strategies would you use to teach an

individual with the disability selected above? How will you monitor progress? What types of

goals/benchmarks would be appropriate for such an individual?

I would focus my studies on Communication. As previously stated, I have a love of ASL

and would want to use that to the best of my ability giving primarily children who are deaf the

voice that they would need to communicate in this world. If I was indeed teaching young

children ASL, I would probably use a picture method where I would show them the photo in the

book and the accompanying sign for that picture. If possible I would probably show the actual

object and the appropriate sign to change things up and make it fun for that child. I would

monitor progress by continually checking if the student is recalling the words we learned that

week and keep their goals high by maybe having them have a full conversation regarding a book

or movie that they read or saw. The overall goal would be for that child to be able to

communicate fully by using ASL. This would mean eventually I would want that student to be

able to relay any and all information to me using sign language. The goals would be high, but I

am also describing teaching young children to speak using ASL from the beginning.

Human Diversity

Why is it important to recognize that humans are diverse? What have you learned about yourself

after reading through each chapter and learning more about the differences in humanity? How

can you apply what you have learned to your classroom?

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It is important to know that no two humans are alike because it helps to make individuals

more accepting of others differences. By realizing that diversity should be encouraged and not

rejected, it really helps to keep life interesting. If everyone was exactly the same, discussions and

debates would not be had and lessons would go unlearned. There is so much to appreciate in this

world that is different and these chapters have helped to open my eyes to that. I have always been

a very accepting and open individual. I generally like that people are not all the same, but the

readings that we have had in this class made me think even more about how different people can

be. These differences arent just physical, but mental as well and can all be integrated into a

lesson in a classroom. Once students know and recognize that we can all learn from one another,

I think they will also be open to accepting everyone. I believe this is a huge part of being a

teacher these days and teaching acceptance and appreciation will only help students to become

better throughout their lifetimes, not just academically. That is the kind of lesson that needs to be

lived while it is learned and I hope to teach my students that as well as I possibly can one day.