The best aspect of RITF is the opportunity to affect change in one of the state’s high-need school districts.
-2009 Special Education Fellow
We need dedicated individuals like you to teach in one of Rhode Island’s critical shortage subject areas: secondary math, science and special education.
Teaching Special Education
Teaching Fellows who teach in a special education setting with students who have mild-to-moderate disabilities will work with students who have difficulty in areas such as reading, math, writing, or communication. Thus, candidates are eligible for placement in special education with a degree in math, science, English (or a closely related field). Note that special education teachers will work towards receiving a dual certification in special education and another content area.
What is special education? Special education is a legal definition for programs that provide greater support for certain students. “Special education” does not refer to a specific location or fixed concept but rather includes a broad range of student services from a smaller, more individualized learning environment, to assistive technology, to a modified curriculum that capitalizes on a student’s particular strengths. Special education is provided under the authority of the federal law, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and state laws and rules.
Every teacher in the public education system works with children with disabilities and therefore needs a basic understanding of the special education system. Special education teachers will work with students who have one or more disabilities and whose disabilities adversely affect learning. Special education teachers will provide specially designed instruction. This instruction may be provided in a collaborative or co-teaching model or in a model where students are pulled out of other classrooms.
For more information on the history of special education and the movement to provide all children with a free and appropriate education (FAPE), visit the website for the Council for Exceptional Children.
For resources for teachers, parents, and students involved in the system, visit the website for Learning Disabilities (LD) Online.
Visit the Rhode Island Technical Assistance Project (RITAP) website for more information about statewide resources for the delivery of quality education and support services for all children, including those with disabilities.
What are the benefits of teaching special education? Special education is based around the concept of specially designed instruction and related services. Classes are smaller, and the teacher has the opportunity to get to know students and their families at a much more personal level. The teacher’s job is to meet educational goals that have been tailored to the needs of a particular student and write new goals each year as (s)he meets with a team that assesses the child’s progress and determines next steps in the student’s education. Fellows teaching special education will likely have the opportunity to team teach or use other teachers as resources, building relationships throughout the school site to support learning in the classroom.
One of the most exciting aspects of a placement in special education is the opportunity to be both advocate and teacher. While teachers are first and foremost responsible for academic goals, they also work to develop a positive school environment for students with special needs.
Teachers encourage students to participate in all aspects of school life and become a liaison to ensure that students receive the same opportunities as their counterparts taking a mainstream course load. As a case manager, special education teachers monitor students’ progress and report to families and other teachers, while at the same time relying on organizational skills to develop individualized tracking systems and manage case-related paperwork.
Teachers of special education often cite strong personal relationships with students and their families, as well as smaller class sizes, as additional reasons for teaching in a special education setting. While there are many challenges in this position—students are often far behind their academic potential, many have internalized negative assumptions about their abilities, and special education teachers need to balance the demands of teaching and case management—there are enormous rewards. Teachers in a special education setting have the potential to see significant growth in students’ abilities and play a primary role in closing the achievement gap.
Teaching Math & Science
The need for educators with deep math and science content knowledge is great. Academic achievement in the fields of mathematics and science is an urgent concern both nationally and here in Rhode Island. The results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 2009 mathematics tests are distressing - Rhode Island Hispanic students were the lowest in the nation in both 4th grade and 8th grade*. Middle-school and high-school results on the state science tests show fewer than one of five students reaching proficiency in both 8th grade (18%) and 11th grade (19%)**. Positive change can happen in Rhode Island, but we need strong teachers to change these statistics
In joining this selective network, Teaching Fellows teaching math and science are charged with ensuring their students master the content knowledge for their particular grade level, acquiring the skills necessary to succeed in school and in life. Fellows who meet the eligibility requirements to teach math or science bring a strong academic background and/or career experience that allow them to become successful first-year teachers. Fellows deliver exciting, hands-on lessons that tie theories and concepts to real-world applications and professions.
Fellows who teach math and science bring a strong foundation in their subject area and the ability to impact the lives of the students that they teach. American students are consistently outperformed by their international peers when it comes to math and science. Out of 24 participating countries in a 2003 study, U.S. fourth-grade students ranked 11th in mathematics and 8th in science***. As the job market becomes increasingly competitive, students need these skills now more than ever to be successful in their careers and lives. By becoming a Rhode Island Teaching Fellow, you have the opportunity to work to close the achievement gap by setting high expectations for the students in your classroom. Rhode Island schools need your expertise and dedication to open opportunities for the students in your classroom by holding yourself accountable to their academic success.
Teaching Fellows benefit from a streamlined application process, a network of like-minded professionals and new educators, and a specialized training which focuses on leveraging prior experiences to translate previous successes into future classroom success. Training courses cover teaching pedagogy, and include topics such as lesson planning and delivery, long-term planning, and research-based High Impact Teaching Strategies (HITS). In addition, Fellows will learn about specific math and science curricula they will likely use in their fall teaching assignments and how to use resources to successfully communicate concepts while holding student attention.
At their school sites, Fellows may collaborate with other department members and teachers. Fellows will also benefit from a network of other Teaching Fellows - a cohort of colleagues available to share challenges, best practices, and ideas. Becoming a Teaching Fellow is your chance to give back to the Rhode Island community by earning your teaching certificate while teaching full-time, receiving full salary and benefits.
Want to learn more? Click here for more information on science and math standards in Rhode Island.
|
