Mentorship

I feel that through my mentorship at Montclair High School I have been able to add a new level of depth to my research. Being able to observe my mentor work with students each time that I go in really helps because I notice the way she speaks to them and how she works with them. I am also able to see the way she communicates with everyone around her. In my research I have found that constant communication between the advisor and a student's team is crucial. Through my mentor I see the real life application and different scenarios in which communicates with the student's parents and teachers. Without my mentorship I don't think that I would understand the role of a Special Education Advisor or the IEP process fully. I would understand the basics of how everything works but I would definitely not be able to understand the way the IEP process is different for each child.

Lesson 2 Reflection

1) I am most proud of my activity for my Lesson 2.

2) I would give myself an AP because I don't feel like I presented as well as I could have by taking my time and slowing down.

3) What worked for me in my presentation was that I was really prepared with all my papers and materials so I was able to just walk in and get started.

4) If I could go back in time I would rehearse my presentation a few more time and make sure that I slowed down and explained things more.

5) I think that my answer 2 would be something about how a special education advisor needs to have the proper degree and certificates to best help her students.

Blog 10:EQ

I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ.

A) No, because it isn't a question that requires much thinking or in depth research. It doesn't have enough framework.

B) Yes, because it meets all three requirements. It's not just a simple answer that the audience can google. When you think about it you consider all factors that could go wrong so you don't know the answer right away.

C) Yes, because it's clear and makes sense but also makes you wonder what the answer might be. Specifically for this question because every customer is different so you just can't answer this question in one way.

D) No, because I feel that it doesn't take a stance or that once you find the answer that you can see both sides of.

In what way can a special education advisor best help her students complete their academic goals?

Blog 9: Lesson 1 Reflection

1.) What are you most proud of in your Lesson 1 Presentation and why?

I would have to say that I am most proud of my closing statement because it was something different, I posed a question, and I gave the audience something to think about.

2.) 

     a) What assessment would you give yourself on your Lesson 1 Presentation(self-assessment)?

I would give myself an AP for my presentation.

    b.) Explain why you deserve that grade using evidence from the Lesson 1 Presentation (self-assessment)?

I would give myself that grade because I don't feel  that I met the P requirements, and I could have been better prepared for my presentation.

3.) What worked for you in your Lesson 1? 

What worked in my presentation was that I had good information and I feel like I explained everything as best I could with relatable examples.

4.) (What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your Lesson 1?

What didn't work in my presentation was my hook activity because the audience didn't seem to respond to it well and I would've rehearsed more if given a chance to go back.

Blog 7: Independent Component 1 Approval

1. For my independent component I plan to more hours of mentorship but instead of doing these hours with a high school I will be doing them at an elementary school. I plan to help with the students and observe the different teaching techniques and compare them to those at the high school.

2. To show my evidence of 30 hours I plan to take pictures of me working with the children working if possible and also by keeping a journal. The journal would be used to write down different notes and log what I've experienced in a different way.

3.I think that by doing this Independent Component I will be able to see a variety of teaching styles when it comes to students with Special Needs. Also I will be able to observe the transitioning styles that will prepare the students for middle and high school. So in a way I will see the effects of a proper Special Education and be able to note the differences and growth.

Is this for me?

Before I started doing my mentorship hours, I still didn't know if Special Education Advisory was the best topic for me. I constantly asked myself,"Is this something I could see myself doing?" I had thought about choosing a career in education a few times over the years but it never really stuck. At first, I was nervous and I didn't feel comfortable in the classroom. Though as I started going more frequently I found myself more comfortable and I was able to communicate with the students better.They were able to open up to me and let me help them with their homework or if they just needed to talk to someone their age.
Just the other day I asked myself again,"Is this something I could see myself doing?" The answer was yes. I didn't even hesitate to answer this time because I knew that it was true. I enjoy talking to people, and helping them understand what they don't, and just being there to make their life (education life) easier. I like the idea of being a coordinator, a teacher, and somewhat of a motivator all at once. I feel that with a career in Special Education Advisory I could not only bring happiness to myself but to those of my students as well. I still don't know if I would only want to focus on High School students the way I have been for my mentorship hours. Though I do know that I took a chance on this topic and I'm finding that good things come out of taking chances.

Blog 6: Second Interview Preperation

1.  Who is your mentor and where do they work?

 My mentor is Sylvia Valenzuela and she works as a Special Education Advisor at Montclair High School.

2.  What five questions will you ask them about their background?

What kind of qualifications did you need for your position?
What do you think is the hardest part of your job?
How did you decide that this was what you wanted to do?
How have you seen this program grow since your employment here?
Do you think that there is a different way to improve the Special Education System here at Montclair High School?