New 8th grade resource room teaching job -- any tips?

Question

I am accepting an 8th grade special ed position as resource room teacher. I have spec/ed cert as well as english/social studies add-ons. Any tips regarding what I should focus upon right now before the year starts?

Also (maybe separate question), the principal hired me over objections of spec coord, who did not like my priv school exp. Any tips for gaining her trust/confidence when I am fairly new to PS teaching?

Thanks for all real replies.

Answer 1

Don't worry about the coordinator. You will prove to everyone that you are the best choice soon enough. Just do you best working with the students and faculty and everyone will accept you.

Right now, before the year starts, you need to focus on IEPs of your students. How will you address each different need? Go ahead and make a plan of attack. You may not be able to actually try all of the things on your list, but you will go into the classroom the first day well prepared for meeting the needs of each student.

What I see in my school for 8th graders is mainly a lack of organization. They need help writing down the assignments from each of their teachers. Some are slow at reading and need the sp.ed. teacher to help them read and pick out the important material. Others cannot communicate well in the written form, but do well if the sp.ed. teacher will talk to them about the day's lesson. The other problem is behavior issues. Some simply cannot function in a classroom setting that is too rigid. They cannot stop from blurting out things or cannot sit for a long time. These students normally have an aide who travels from class to class with them to help deal with their behavior.

I hope this helps you a bit, and Good Luck!

Answer 2

I'd say get in touch with as many of the teachers as possible and see what they will be teaching throughout the year, how they will present the material, was they will require for assignments, etc. This will help you be ready for helping the kids that will come into your room for help.

As for the coordinator, be as cooperative and open as possible, but do not go so far that you alter your teaching style and approach just to make her happy and like you.

She didn't hire you, the principal did, so that is the person you answer to ultimately, not her. The principal still hired you, so he must have a good amount of trust in you already.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Let your work do the talking. Establish as solid a relationship as you can with students and their parents. Special ed parents are the worst. Don't worry about the teachers. teachers will always hate special ed, it's like part of their teacher training. Besides more than likely the system is imperfect anyway.

Winning people over in education is not easy. If this is your first real job my advise would be to focus on health and damage control. You couldn't pay me enough to do special ed. Don't overwork yourself and keep in touch with your union. Districts can abuse special ed people often.

My best friends from my school taught special ed, so I am the few who appreciates them. Remember irritated teachers go away and most of them have better things to do than make your life miserable. Parents don't go away and some of them don't have better things to do than make your life miserable.

Answer 4

At the middle-school level, a lot of the work you do with the kids is helping them complete regular ed assignments.

However, you also want to ensure that they are continuing to get exposure to special ed instructional techniques. Plan 10 minute mini-lessons in phonetic decoding, reading comprehension, and/or any other skill deficits you identify.

Do your job well, and the spec coordinator should warm up to you. Focus on your caseload, and on becoming a part of your school's community.

Answer 5

Have you seen the Ron Clark movie or read his book? I think the fact that you are worried already says so much about your potential as a teacher. Be confident. You are going to be GREAT!