What Are Teachers Thankful For?

What are teachers thankful for?  We asked some teachers near and far the following question:

What is something specific that a person has done that has made having a child with a disability in your classroom a more successful experience for you?  It might be something that a parent has done or perhaps a fellow teacher.  Or maybe it was something that a paraprofessional did or even another student in the classroom.

Read on for our favorite responses:

“I am thankful for our special education teacher -- she is wonderful.  She seeks out lesson plans from teachers with students who have IEPs.  She modifies their lessons by creating alternate activities that address more visual and kinesthetic needs.  Recently, she was blowing up maps for social studies and writing words on them to focus on states rather than the continents that were being addressed in the classroom.  She also tells teachers how to eliminate sections of a test or provide more white space so students with disabilities don't get overwhelmed by text.  I also continue to be amazed by the students in my school.  They really band together to support their peers with disabilities.”
Danielle Dwinnells, Student Achievement Specialist
Fountain Rock Elementary School, Hagerstown, MD

“What I find as helpful that lends itself to vital is communication between school and home. Telephone calls, dropping a simple postcard in the mail at the beginning of the school year, as well as the use of a log book/notebook or agenda/day planner are integral aids in communicating with families. These are important tools within a “student’s toolbox” to aid with school to home relationships and overall student organizational strategies.”
Cynthia Fisher, English/Language Arts Inclusion Teacher
South Brook Middle School, Pittsburgh, PA

“A former professor at Duquesne University, Dr. Beverly Evans, read A Wish for Wings that Work: An Opus Christmas Story by Berkeley Breathed to our class. The popular children’s story is about a penguin named Opus who wishes he could fly like all other birds. He writes a letter to Santa asking him to grant him this wish for Christmas. On Christmas morning, Opus awakes to Santa and his sleigh in distress because they have crashed into a lake and are stranded in the center. Opus dives into the water to rescue Santa and the sleigh! Santa commends Opus for his hard work by saying, “I see no penguins here whose wings only sputter. Tonight it was courage that flew yours beyond others.” Dr. Evans related this book to the concept that all children with a disability have something they are good at. I have always remembered this story and the concept behind it.  It was because of Opus and Dr. Evans that I believe that every student with a disability has something to offer and that it is my job as a teacher to find that something in order to make working with students with disabilities more successful for me and for them as well.”
Amy McTighe, Ph.D., Special Education Teacher/Life Skills
Hampton High School, Allison Park, PA

“The most helpful thing that parents can do is give us the education we need for how to best help their child. Children of all abilities have different strengths and needs, and so it really helps when parents share what works best for their child. Some of the things that I have found helpful is knowing if they need special placement in the classroom or if a student needs adapted materials or other accommodations, etc. If they need special materials and I don’t have them, I appreciate anything they can provide. For example, if they know a specific pencil gripper that works best for their child, if they could send one to school, it might really help the child, and teacher!”
Julie Robeson, First Grade Teacher
South Penn Elementary School, Cumberland, MD

“I have had many children with disabilities in my classroom and I have to say I am always most impressed with my students that step in to help, stick up for their classmate on the playground, sit with them at lunch, and make them feel like they are a part of our "classroom family" and have people that care for them. I always tell my students on the first day that we are a family in our room and look out for each other. These kids don't see a child with a disability, they see a person-a part of their classroom family.”
Jen D’Angelo, Second Grade Teacher
Union Elementary School, New Castle, PA

“When a parent shares information with me that occurs at home, I find this helpful. Whether it is what the student did the past weekend, or sharing resources/materials with me, this all helps me better educate the student. When I am familiar with what the child likes to do, does not like, how he/she spends their time at home, I am able to have conversations with the student that I may not have had before.”
Lauren McGuirk, Special Education Teacher
Quaker Valley School District, Sewickley, PA