ECSE 421 Week One

• For week one ONLY I want a paragraph about what you currently know about the topics this class will cover (working with families, community and professionals) and a paragraph on what you want to learn during the semester or any questions you may have about the course that isn't clear to you.

Our first class made the impression on me that this class was mainly focused on disabilities. When I first registered I looked at the name and assumed it was how teachers can better communicate and interact with families and within the community. Now I am leaning towards the understanding that in fact we are learning how to use the resources in the community to help families that have disabilities. I know that public schools are required to have resources and teachers for students with disabilities. Some schools believe in having the students completely integrated with the students with disabilities, and other schools and school districts have a philosophy that both parties of students are benefitted more when they are separated in schools. I have the opinion that neither one is good nor bad, but a mix of both is beneficial. I think it is so great when all children have exposure to children with disabilities to teach them and to help them gain appreciation and respect. The more involved the families are in the community, the more exposure and access they can have to resources to help better the development and learning of that individual child. 

I am really looking forward to this class. I want to learn how to seek out resources in many different types of places. I want to learn about options for families that have children with disabilities. I want to learn how to be an advocate in the community for children and adults with disabilities.