Instructions:
This important assignment is used as part of your program for student professional growth and disposition. The objectives of the assignment are to provide you the opportunity to express: (a) your ongoing efforts for awareness of self and those with whom you work and (b) your application of knowledge and skills for professional practices.
There are three steps for completing this assignment. Please begin the steps early in your course so that your report reflects all components and objectives for the report. Use first person writing and provide references sparingly as the point is to convey a personal story that reflects your career and personal journey of learning and understanding the advocacy topic for professional growth.
- Reflect on experience in a college program for special education, based on the following areas and guiding questions. In your written essay, please use the headers presented with subsequent questions.
The Learning Process: Please use: Friend, M. (2018). Special education: Contemporary perspectives for school professionals (5th ed.). Pearson. Also, use any web resources related to special education disability areas. In addition, use the State of Missouri Standards and Indicators for special education eligibility.
What resources/new learning impacted you the most? How did your work on the topic challenge your opinions, ideas, or questions about the topic or the populations you serve?
What did you learn from any of your classmates or instructor that personally impacted you? Was this good or bad? What did you learn about yourself from that experience?
Professional Identity:
Discuss the way a professional in the field of special education presents him/herself with K-12 learners. What are important aspects and characteristics to keep in mind.
How do you coordinate your work with other professionals and how does the coordination enhance student learning?
What are some ways you can live out your professional identity in the larger community?
Social Justice and Personal Mission:
What is social justice? Where do you witness inequities in the setting where you work or volunteer?
What did you learn about the role and functions of a professional who advocates for social justice.
Who are some key people in your community/setting who you can identify that are critical to your success for translating your ideas about social justice into practice?
Professional Ethical Codes as Related to working in a Public School in the Field of Special Education
What codes relate to your personal mission and professional identity?
What one or two areas of the code stand out to you the most?
- Revisit some of the information you learned about your profession throughout the program. Create a SMART goal based on one area from your essay. For more information about SMART goals, see https://www.examples.com/education/goals/smart-goal.html