What to teach… identifying resources.

by: Jamie Bessette

Has anybody else besides me noticed that at the start of every school year we get bombarded with resources we should use that school year or new district initiatives? This is how I have learned to wrap my head around the overwhelming amount of information I seem to receive each year.

Being in special education I have the ability to seek out my own interventions. I came to this approach because it seems that if I used interventions provided by the district curriculum the general education teachers and intervention specialists usually this as their first approach to remediation. While I think this is a good start I wanted something different then what they were doing. Which brings me to my approach on resources.

I’ve been blessed to work with some teachers that are awesome instructors, they keep the kids engaged and excited about learning while teaching the curriculum. I’ve tried to mimic what they do so that I can be just as effective.

I realized early on in my career that I could not teach multiple programs effectively. I researched programs in each subject area and found ones that I could immerse myself in and teach well. I feel it’s important to keep an open mind, so from there on out I listen to each of the new programs with the thought “How can this benefit my program?” Then after active listening and reflection I take the information that will benefit by teaching and I let the rest go.

I’ve found other teachers that have done this as well and this is what I have learned. I tell myself there is more than one way to peel an apple. It doesn’t really matter what program you pick for intervention. What matters is that you learn it inside and out so that you teach it with fidelity and effectively. Then if you have paras you need to teach the program to them so that they can support you and students just as effectively.

So please know from my point of view it’s ok to be picky and focus your attention on the things you know will work for you. My information above applies to interventions. The only caveat to this is the curriculum your district provided is a non-negotiable. You need to be able to teach the district’s curriculum, therefore you must learn it inside and out as well so that you know how to provide solid intervention. However, if you join the adoption committee you will have a voice in the steering of the curriculum.

In closing, my advice to you is to be a reflective educator who takes the “less is more” approach when it comes to intervention.