I work with the Enabling Support Foundation, a non-profit with a dual mission to support persons with disabilities and K-12 education, and most importantly the intersection of these two missions: special education. You can see the main site at www.enabling.org and the K-12 resource site at www.educationalsynthesis.org.

The people at ESF have been using the telecomputing with special education students since the 1980's. You may or may not be aware that persons with disabilities and K-12 education were pioneers of online computer networking at least 10 years before the universities and the Education establishment became involved.

Before I retired a professor of neuropsychology I created a research program investigating the causes, identification, and treatment of reading disability and I plan to discuss that on this forum.

Bob

Interesting! I went to the sites noted in your comment section Bob, but they were offline at the time. I will check them out again tomorrow.

I am interested and very much looking forward to discussions on the topics you mentioned.

I teach English along with another teacher licensed in English even though mine is in the mild disabilities. I want to start a blog and don't know how to go about doing it.

Hello everyone! My name is Erika Saunders and this is my 7th year teaching middle school (6-8) students in a k-8 school. I teach learning support and also mentally gifted. 2 years ago, we switched to full inclusion. Now I co-teacher with the 6th, 7th, & 8th grade Literacy and Math teachers. What a change! I do miss having my own classroom: planning lessons, having a bigger impact on my children, being able to monitor their progress better, and make the appropriate accommodations and modifications. I do believe that co-teaching can work and is a wonderful practice!

Since this is only our 2nd year doing it, it's a lot like an arranged marriage! Last year, we didn't even really know each other (even though we had been working together for years!). Now, we're starting to get "more familiar" with each other.

I'd love to say that things are going well, but the truth is that not everyone is on board with the idea. I range from being a really good "aid" to a competent "student teacher" even though I'm fully certified - in 2 areas spec ed & middle years literacy - have my master's degree, and 7 years of teaching experience! Oh, well, we're still in the growing stages! I'm hoping that things continue to develop and people get more and more comfortable with co-teaching.

I teach in a high-poverty school in a large, urban city. I LOVE teaching, especially Middle School! I really enjoy the kids. It can be challenging at times, but so worth it. I am passionate about education and strive to learn more and more. I want to be the best educator I can be so that the students can benefit.

I did apply for National Board Certification last year - my scores will be released this Friday so wish me luck! I'm really looking forward to connecting through Edutopia. I so believe in what they represent. It's my way of looking at teaching!