Back in the schools :)

Today marks my third day back in the schools and it has been really nice to see and get to know the students a little better. All 4 of the classes I am teaching are freshman math classes. One of those classes is a lower level class which moves at a slower pace. Many of the students in this class are suspected of having disabilities but have not yet been identified. Our principal explained to us that there are not too many students in the high school who have serious disabilities because parents keep them at home. This is because they have to pay for their children to go to schools and there are not many accommodations for them here at the school. One of the students in this particular class cannot speak English which makes it hard for her to understand what is going on in class. Another student who just returned to school cannot read so many times he does not try any of the work. Many of the students with disabilities in the school are unidentified but hopefully some of the teachers visiting from the states can help set up a system to develop more accommodations. When working in the classroom, I try to keep the students focused by giving them verbal cues to get back on track. One thing that stood out to me is that many of the teachers are not filled in about the disabilities or barriers some of the students in their classes are having. Currently, the guidance counselor at the school handles all of that information. Much of the staff has little training on how to work with students with disabilities. They have been extremely excited and open to any ideas and techniques we may have for them.