Encouraging Discussion between Teacher Candidates and Families with Exceptional Children

摘要: Upon entering their practica and student teaching, many teacher candidates have had no to limited contact with exceptional students. Often they are unaware of the realities having a disabilities in classroom. While issues such as listening accepting family input, medication therapy requirements, financial needs often addressed (Muscott, 2002), presence one or more these factors may produce who is uncomfortable working families. It imperative that understand families children, which can further complicate academic functional growth. When share experiences, needs, ultimately stories candidates, budding teachers likely see heartache, uncertainty, well potential children. The Families Faculty (FAF) program introduces exceptionality safe atmosphere. These visits exposed special populations revealed ways comfortably interact experiences. FAF experience different for all participants, whether from role parent candidate. important complete university training understanding child discover Teachers children overlook students perspective (Eberly, Joshi, & Konzal, 2007). They associate organizational issues, incongruence, memory deficits motivation rather than (Fish, 2006). courses introduction education methodology included preparation programs, not internalize disability information. Ratcliff Hunt (2009) posit because classroom has responsibility craft positive relationships families, educators duty provide appropriate experiences while train teaching. visits, described this article, accomplished task introducing gave them personal at least disability, helped incorporate philosophy knowledge into practice teachers. Schools education, well, challenged find link knowledge-acquisition authentic experiential-learning opportunities relation parental involvement (Patterson, Webb, Krudwig, 2009). Patterson et al. theorized instruction supports applications k-12 levels alike. Paired visited purpose learning about student. Research candidate interactions. Klemm Schimanski, (1999) suggested parenting life changing experience, should strive learn parents experienced challenges. Purpose present study explored professional growth within scope by coded theme. get know on caseloads setting self-contained resource room, relationship building difficult even absent inclusion setting. project sought help through visits. Their goals according Student Handbook (Families Faculty, 2010) were 1) give an opportunity beyond his her illness diagnosis member community, 2) recognize acknowledge own values, attitudes beliefs still respecting family, 3) view knowledgeable partners whom learn, 4) explore complex strengths coping chronic condition disability. …