Journal Posting #1: Schedule and Role




Journal Posting #1:  Schedule and Role

My placement has already begun.  I was set up with a unique role to cover for one of our staff itinerant DHH teachers while she is out on maternity leave until the end of November. My role and responsibilities is to cover her case load during her absence and fulfill her duties as needed.  I am a part of the IEP team for 17 children (with one more beginning in October) across 8 schools.  Though DHH is not the case manager for all these students, there are quite a few where this is the situation. Some of these students are new to me, some I have worked with before.  This teacher primarily covers the elementary schools and some of the middle school students.  In the first two weeks of classes I have:
-located all the schools
-introduced myself to all the secretaries, classroom teachers, principles, special ed teachers, speech teachers and other necessary staff as needed.  
-secured access to buildings and rooms from which to work
-added printers in various buildings
-set up and conducted an initial observation of a student that will be starting in October
-figured out how to gain access to IEP paperwork on students
-in-serviced teachers on my role and learned about all equipment (with the help of the amazing audiologist)
-met with H.R. to define payment, licensing, and paperwork needs
-met with Director of Special Education (new this year) to define position
-met with other DHH teacher to solidify my responsibilities 
-met with vision and other DHH teacher concerning one of my previous students that is undergoing some major changes
-visited all classrooms to check in on students and equipment usage
-troubleshooting basic equipment and contacting audiologist for further assistance
-coordinated the agency interpreter/ scheduling to cover my vacant position
-took a look at upcoming interpreter absences
-coordinated with teachers across schools and speech/ other professions to design a schedule 
-met with Special Ed Skyward secretary to review Skyward access
-met with ELC building technology support personnel to learn about creating Google Forms to populate a spreadsheet for data collection and documentation (will coordinate a second meeting soon)
-informed teachers when pull out times will begin (this coming week)

As of this week the tentative schedule is here:  

Tentative Schedule

Being early in the school year, there is the possibility of change.  There will be an IEP meeting on Wednesday for the student starting in October.  She has a great deal of needs.  I am working with the audiologist and the other DHH teacher to ensure all paperwork is filled out correctly.  I have also written an Observation Report for the student based on the student visit last week to distribute to the IEP team. 

Another student's IEP is coming up in October where DHH is the case manager.  I will be sending out possible dates for this on Monday or Tuesday. 

As far as lesson plans... my initial pull out time with children will be a "meet and greet" and finding the room where we will be working.  I am trying to email the interpreters (including agency interpreters) of pull out times.  For several of the students, I plan to tie in a lesson this week on Deaf Awareness Week since it is coming fast.  I hope to tie this to their goal on advocacy.

This week I plan to follow the schedule as closely as possible and adjust for changes.  In addition I need to get lesson plans written up for each student.  I am working on setting up Google forms for data collections, figuring out a traveling file system for the students that includes a brief overview of each of their needs/ goals.  I am also hoping to take a picture (via the iPad) of each child's equipment (both theirs and the FM).  We have a large variety and I want to make sure I know who matches what.  I also plan to use this in one of their upcoming lessons (possibly this week).  I believe I will be meeting with the other DHH teacher some time this week to clarify if I missed anything and point me in the right direction.  I will be adding lesson plans as soon as I have them. 

For the purpose of this assignment/ experience I have not yet decided which particular student I will be using.  There is a variety and I may chose according to the best fit for the lesson at the time.  I will also be doing some initial testing with the students in the next few weeks to get a better idea of where they fall.  Students that are on "consult", 1x/mo, or 1x/ sem basis will be seen in a rotation on Wednesdays if possible. 

I am certain I missed something, but hopefully this provides a basic idea of my role, responsibilities, placement, and agenda thus far. More to follow soon.


Comments

  1. AOWSeptember 18, 2018 at 5:45 PM

    You missed very little! This is a great overview of your load and all the work you have been doing. At this point, when would you like me to come up for a visit to Sheboygan? If there is a particular student you would like me to observe or if you are looking for assistance in the IEP process.....let me know and I will try to schedule the visit next week.

    You're doing great...it's quite a bit to learn in your first teaching experience!

    Amy

    ReplyDelete
  2. Luedtke5September 23, 2018 at 4:14 PM

    I was thinking the first week in October would be really helpful for you to come in to visit. I have a few students in mind, and two in particular where I would like your advise... to see if you have encountered similar situations and how you may have handled them.
    I am suggesting the first week in October for two reasons: First, I have finally had the chance to meet 1:1 with each of my students that require the most time. I'm working on making a goal sheet for each of them so I internalize better what each needs at a glance. I'm also working on getting a Google form data collection system in order. The first week in October would give me time to really get a routine set for some of them.
    Second, I am closing on my house this week and getting everything moved, downsized, making trips back and forth to my apartment, working at my other job, and traveling for classes have thrown me for a loop. I currently don't have internet until I am able to get it switched over, so I have been without for the whole weekend.. making it very difficult to access my work information as well as any homework. Since tomorrow is Monday, I am hoping they will be able to get things switched over so I at least am able to get service. The few extra days to finish up cleaning out my house after work would be really helpful.
    I will post again tomorrow to explain what I have been working on with each student and hopefully where I intend to head this week.

    ReplyDelete

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