Field Choice

I would have to say that the reason I chose to go into Special Education is partily because I like working one on one. At the same time my brother has ADHD, or so they say. When he was little he had many of the symptoms but now that he is older he does not. I do think that he may be a slower learner but I do not think that he has ADHD. It is important to me that kids are not misdiagnosed. He now has that label and I do not think that it is right. My goal is to go into the field and be able to help these kids and make sure that everything is right. It is frustrating to me when kids that are 4 or 5 that are "busy" must have have attention deficit when in reality they are being 4 and 5 year olds. I do not think that I am wonder woman or anything but I want to be out and be able to help.

Teachers

I would love to work here in Madison County. My major is LBD with middle school social studies. I am torn because I really want to work with special needs one on one but I would love to teach history. I want to teach middle or high school students. I went to Model Pre-K through my senior year so I want to work there. I know a lot of the faculty there. One good thing about Model is that there is not a lot of students so you get to know them at a more personal level, which is something I really enjoy.

Parking

I am not sure the best place to park. I have been parking at AC. I would like to have a walking buddy to walk with to my car with me because I am a big chicken. If someone wants someone to walk with let me know

Parking

Another question for ya, at least for the commuters! Where is the best place to park at night? I have always had day classes, except a short time last Spring semester, so I am not sure how parking is at night. Thanks again!

Some advice, I need it!

Hey everyone! I have a son who has a speech impairment. He has trouble with his r's and w's. His speech teacher is great, but I have a hard time getting in touch with her. I need some advice and techniques that anyone might know that could help me work with him at home. Thanks!

Oh, I forgot to introduce myself again. For those of you who were not in class on Wednesday, my name is Bethany Prall, I am a transfer student from Middle Tennessee University in Murfreesboro, TN but I live in Mt. Juliet which is 30 min. from Nashville. I am originally from California but we moved when I was 7. My major is Deaf and Hard of Hearing with an emphasis on Elementary Education. I love the deaf and all of the knowledge and learning that they have to offer. They are truely my passion. I have been around the Deaf since my Freshman year of High School and just fell in love. I get more excited about it every time that I am around Sign Language and the Deaf. I really look forward to getting to know all of you this semester and to know your passions in life:D 

Hey guys, I really hope that everyone is having a fun and safe Labor day weekend. Im really confused about some of the requirements for the class. Like the observations and the voice recording thing that we have to do!! Can anyone explain it to me more??

Heather

Hey Everyone!

Wednesday night I wasnt able to make it to class so I was just wondering if anyone could give me a brief summary of what went on during the class period? As of now the only thing I am certain of is that each of us have to post at least 4 blogs per month by the end of the month. I am sure Mrs. White mentioned more than just that during the three hours of class so I'm nervous that I may show up this week very unprepared. If there is any kind of reading or assignments that I would need to do before class this coming Wednesday I would greatly appreciate it if someone would be nice enough to tell me about it.

Thanks!!!!

Teachers

For all the future teachers in the class....what subject area, grade level, school district, state or any other information can you give the bloggers of 260?

I would love to teach early U.S. History at the late middle school or early high school levels. Madison County is my home and I would love to stay here and hopefully teach at Clark-Moores Middle School which is where I currently work now. I believe middle school kids present the greatest challenge to educators due to the changes and transitions they are going through in their lives. Furthermore, a lot of students who get lost and fall to the side are lost during this period of their educational careers. Middle school teachers have the opportunity to shape those students who are getting ready for high school or they have the chance to fail to reach those students and allow them to fail to graduate high school. I feelvery strongly that middle school teachers have one of the most important jobs of all educators!

Good Morning

Well here I am, finally blogging. I have all my cliches lined out and am signed up and ready to go. Wednesday night was an interesting class. I really enjoyed the group work and sharing ideas with other special education minds. I am usually extremely shy in class and in group discussions but in this class I feel more comfortable communicating my ideas and thoughts. I am passionate about children with learning and or behavioral disabilities. The teaching profession and especially the special education field are in immediate need for young and new minds who put kids first and I believe from what I saw Wednesday night we have some people in this class that definitely fit that description. I look forward to working with all of you and believe this semester should be beneficial to all of us.

Hey

Hey everyone, sorry I have not been on here sooner. I have been so busy and then went out of town where I was cut off from the world. I am married and I have a 1 1/2 year old little boy. His name is Brayden. My major is LBD with middle school social studies. I thinkm this is going to be a good class. I do have to work until 5 on Wednesday so it will be a challenge to get there everyday. Anyhow I have to be on here 3 more times today so talk to you soon.

hello!!!

Hey my name is matthew vickers. I am from jackson county ky. I am also an assistant basketball coach at jackson county high school. I am currently a high school earth science major, but have always been intrigued by special education. I am taking this class to see if I enjoy the subject. I hope I do.

Hey Guys!

I just wanted to say hello! My name is Melissa Rife (most people call me Missy) and I am a sophomore. My hometown is Pike County, Ky and I love it just as much as I hate it. I am taking 18 hours this semester and I pretty stressed about it, but im sure everything will be ok. I cant wait to get to know everyone! See you Wed..

Just wondering...What's your best experience?

I love hearing stories about other people's experiences in the education field. Hearing about someone's successful experience of helping a child touches my heart, and makes me look forward to helping students in my own classroom someday. Since I've started the education program, I have done some hours of field experience like many of you. So my question is...What has been your best/most memorable experience working with students so far since you've been a part of the education program?

Here's mine: Last spring, I was doing some field experience in an elementary classroom. The teacher asked me to work with a girl named Cassie. She hadn't been referred to special education, but she was in the bottom percentage in her class and especially had difficulty in reading and spelling. Each day, Cassie and I would go to the lunchroom and I would help her with her spelling words. I would have her spell them verbally to me, use the words in a sentence, and so on. Each day, I could see Cassie improving, and I enjoyed getting to help her. That Thursday, the class was taking their practice spelling test. Any student who made 100% on Thursday did not have to take the real exam again Friday, plus they got a treat. The teacher told me that Cassie had not received a 100% yet the entire year. That Thursday though, she did! I was so proud of Cassie and so happy for her success. The teacher called Cassie back to her desk and she took a treat from the basket along with the other few students who made 100%. The smile on Cassie's face melted my heart. I was so touched I could have cried! After class, the teacher told me she wished Cassie could have my one-on-one help all the time, and I wished I could always be there to help her to. This experience meant so much to me, and I hope to be able to help children like Cassie my entire teaching career.

Hi from Shawnetha

Wow, I think I have finally got signed on here! Sorry for the late introduction. My name is Shawnetha Smith. I am 20 years old and I have just started my junior year here at EKU. I live in Rockcastle County, specifically in Mt. Vernon. I commute here all day on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and on Wednesday night for this class. My major is Special Education LBD and Elementary Education. I can't wait to teach! Here are some things about me...I am engaged to a wonderful guy I have been dating for six years this September. I enjoy spending my extra time with him, my family, and my many pets. My favorite things to do are go to the movies, watch TV (I love Grey's Anatomy, The Young and the Restless, and Two and a Half Men!), and play Guitar Hero. It's the only X-Box 360 game I know how to play :-) I am very excited to be in this class with you all. I think it will be a class that will really help me learn more about the students I will teach one day. I look forward to getting to know everyone and learning from one another.

Great idea Tarah!!

I like Tarah's idea of everyone sharing their story about why they want to be in this field. So here is mine.
I've always loved children and actually have wanted to be a teacher since I was tiny. I always thought that I would enjoy working with the little ones, just sounds fun right? While taking classes toward my degree, I decided to change my major to nursing. I graduated from nursing school three and a half years ago and have worked as a nurse since then. I have done all of this with no regrets!! I believe that everything you do in life only better prepares you for what lies ahead. During those three years I seemed to have really been drawn to my patients with special needs. My heart goes out to them and being a nurse I have the "wanting to help people" blood. This made me think about how close I was to finishing my education degree and how I could combine my knowledge and love of both jobs and be a special ed. teacher. It was a great idea I thought, but I didn't know if I could really afford to do it. Then I told myself, if you don't do it know, you'll never have the chance to do it again. I kept telling myself, where there is a will, there is a way. So here I am and I am so glad that I finally listened to myself and took the chance to fulfill my dream as a child. Only now with a little different perspective ---thanks to my experiences.

Awesome Class

Through my experience in college I have very seldom came across a class that seems to be very beneficial, as well as having a teacher that wants nothing other then to make you a better teacher. This class has both, which makes me very excited to spend my Wednesday nights in a 3 hours class. Yeah I know I seem like a person that is just kissing up, but if you did not see these 2 factors in class then you must of not been paying attention. I'm really looking forward to getting into groups in class and being able to learn from what others have experienced that can help me become a better teacher. See everyone next Wednesday.

Just a question...

Could someone tell me what I missed the first 30 minutes of class last Wednesday? I was late due to not having a sitter for my son. I want to make sure I don't miss anything important. Thanks!

Hello!

Hey everyone! This is my first blog, I've been really busy this week! Anyway, I am April Bolin and I am a LBD major. I am a single mom to a wonderful seven year old son. He is my world! I enrolled in SED 260 last Spring semester, but I took it on Monday night and that is a bad night for me, so I ended up dropping the class. But, I think I am going to love this class!!! Everyone seems so eager to learn! Mrs. White seems to be a very energetic and interesting instructor and person, and that is great, especially considering it is a night class! I look forward to getting to know each of you this semester!

Blog #2 Sorry it's so long!!!!!

I guess I could use one of my four blogs for August as a chance to intoduce myself since I wasn't able to make it to class on Wednesday night. To start off my name is Heather Martin and I am a sophomore here at Eastern. I am majoring in Special Edu./Elem. Edu. with an emphasis on autism. The town I grew up in, Dawson Springs, is in western Kentucky and has a population of about 3,000 people. Unlike many, I had an extremly small graduating class, roughly 40 students to be exact.

My senior year I was given the opportunity to take a peer tutoring class working with K-2nd grade special education students for one hour a day throughout the entire year. As you can probably guess, this is where my passion for autism began. I worked with a first grade little boy who had been diagnosed with the Autism Spectrum Disorder a few years previously. Before working with this student, I had honestly never heard of this disorder. However, after just a few weeks of interacting with this amazing child and watching the way he interacted with others, especially the teacher, I knew this was something that I couldn't just merely observe for an hour a day for a year. I wanted it to be a bigger part of my life.

I certainly do not know nearly all that there is to be known about autism and as a matter of a fact I'll admit that I honestly do not know much at all as far as everything that there is to be learned about ASD. But that is why I am taking classes such as SED 260 so that hopefully by the time I graduate I will know enough about this disorder to be able to pursue a career working with children who are diagnosed with it everyday.

My Class Experience

From my last class experience I am very pleased that I chose to take SED 260. This class seems to be very interesting and not so "boring" as a night class. After reviewing the schedule I am very excited to learn the many different aspects of this class! Also Mrs. White has an amazing way of keeping my attention the whole class time where many professors can seem as if they are just reading off a powerpoint.

Hey! My name is Heather Martin and I wasn't able to attend class on Wednesday night because I had my bottom wisdom teeth pulled earlier that day. I have read over a few peoples blogs and the class itself seems to be quite interesting. Everyone speaks highly of their first experience in SED 260 which is a relief because I was a bit concerned with it being a 3hr night class. However, I have seen several people's posts that mention something about having to blog at least four times before the end of August? With today being August 29th, and my first blog I'm obviously starting to panic! I mean can i simply get on here and ramble three more times about anything having to do with this class and it count as a blog or are there certain subjects that we're suppose to blog about???

Laura

Hey thanks for the info about class and everything!! It was a big help. About the break.. I'm good either way!

Question?

I have two questions to ask out the postings...first does the post about ourselves count and does commenting on someones elses post count as well....thanks!

Your story

I think it would be awesome to hear everyone's story. Why did you go into special education? I decided I wanted to go into special education for a few reasons. The first reason was my roommate my freshman year of college. She has a brother with down syndrome, and I realized how bad I would love to help him and be around him all the time. I really enjoyed his company and thought he was a great person. Second reason was my job as santa's helper, (a crazy job by the way, do not ever do it!!!!) A group of special ed students came in to see santa, and seeing the smiles on their faces as they got to see santa made me so happy and I would love to do that for them everyday. Third reason is my current roommate, she has twin brothers that are suffering from many problems, mostly developmental problems and are having a very hard time in school. The students are making fun of them and they are falling behind in their classes because the teachers do not want to put them in special ed because they have not been diagnosed with an actual name for their problems yet. I would love to be a person helping these kids with their problems and I would love to put a smile on their faces and let them know everything will be okay and they are just as special as any other kid. Sorry this post was so long and maybe a little confusing, just wanted to tell my story.

Hello

Hey, guys:D i just wanted to post my first blog:D im really excited about this semester. class last night was really fun and i loved the interaction. I am looking forward to learning from all of you and hopefully i can teach you a few things:D 

Finally!!!!!!!!!!

Yay finally I got on here!!!! It only took me two days ha ha! Im Tarah McAdams and I am a junior majoring in LBD with an emphasis on elementary ed. Okay so I need everyones help, I am starting to think that teaching is not for me and have been doing some research on other majors, I still want to work with special ed kids but I want to work in a hospital instead of a classroom. I looked into occupational therapy and I would love to major in that but at the same time I do not want to be in school for six years, is there a major similar to it?

Class

I just wanted to say I really enjoyed class last night and I am looking forward to seeing what the semester brings.....and it was good to meet new people as well!

I think I've got it!

Okay, hopefully I have figured this blog stuff out. I can say that I have learned something for today, which is always good, right?!? Class last night was really interesting to me. I enjoyed hearing different opinions on speech, language and communication. After much thought I too believe that when a family or group comes up with their own way of saying things to each other it would be classified as communication. In order for it to be considered speech it would need to be used by the majority of the population. We all have different forms of communication, some can even communicate through eye contact. But in order for it to be speech, everyone must be on the same page.

Hey Everyone!

I just want to take the time to introduce myself further. I am Lizzie Spalding. I am a sophomore and I live on campus. I am an elementary education major with a focus in kindergarten, but I am thinking about changing it to special education. I am from Marion county, Ky., which is a really small county in central Kentucky. Well, that is just a little bit about me! I am looking forward to getting to know everyone better!!

Lisa

Lisa I think you will really enjoy the class. Their is a lot of interacting. Make sure you blog at least 4 times the month of August. Professor White is nice, but she says she strict. We will be working in groups and the discussions in class seem to go really well. We went over some of chapter 1 and will finish it next week. All test are online also with no time limit. She really wants to see what all you learn. Learning is what she say's is most important....So see ya Wed

Class part 2

I'd like a break, but if we get to move around in groups and run to the bathroom when ever we like maybe a break isn't so important. Not for sure on the whole break thing I guess. About summer break, I'm taking my son to Disney World over the break. I can't wait to be in Flordia!!!!!

Hi Everyone!

My name is Lisa Bayne.. I had a situation and was not in class on Wed. so I thought this was a good place to introduce myself. I'm a transfer student from BCTCS (LCC).. I also attended UK for 1 semester and hated it.. I live on campus for the first time ever so I'm excited to meet new people and see new faces every day.. Hmm.. I'm at a loss for words now.. that's all the small talk I have I guess.. If anyone wants to know more feel free to ask.

Needing Clarity

Okay, So does responding to other classmates blogs count as blogging or do the monthly four blogs have to be original post?
Thanks

YAY!!!!!

I really enjoyed meeting everyone in class lastnight. I am excited to get to know everyone better.

break or no break!

I know i stole this from the monday night board but i am needing a fourth post so here is it!



TO BREAK OR NOT TO BREAK THAT IS THE QUESTION???


I think no break i would like to make it to the dining hall before nine or else creepy people are there and i dont want to eat with them!

My Experiance

Hello again,
I though that i would sum up what my high school experiance was like and hopefully somene else can share theirs.

I was 17 and a jounior in high school and beyond struggeling. I had terriable depression i was on home study bc i could make it out of bed most day. I continued that through the end of the year and when i arrived back my senior year i went to my counslor and told her she had to get me out of high school or i was leaving. I was 18 and could have made that choice. She helped me get out and into the Community College. It was there that i learned that i wasnt stupid i just learned a different way. I started to take ASL and i learned how to process information differently i am a visual and language learner give me somethign to see or something to read and i can do it. If there are numbers involved FORGET IT!!!
My family alwasy knew i could read and comprehend just about anything but high school isnt taught that way its taught with the mid set the teacher says it you do and and learn it... i dont learn my doing i learn by seeing and reading. My high school was very math and schience and i wasnt that is why i got out.
I hope other peopl have experiances to share!
-Lindsay

Class aftermath

I will say that the discussion in class between the differences of speech, communication, and language brought streaming thoughts through my mind. I ended up getting on the phone with my best friend and high school sweetheart, who is at UK in Special Education and still my sweetheart 4 years later...in case you cared lol. Anyways, and we began discussing the ideas in class. I later began to see that the topic of communication within families and whether it could be a true language was indeed a dead myth. Communication it is, and on a larger scale could never meet the criteria of a language. In my opinion I should say this is what I have discovered. Anyone care to popcorn off this topic?

Another blog for the sake of blogging

Okay since we have to have four of these in such a short time I did a load of laundry and know I'm ganna write another blog. So, she said we could write about our summer. Well, this was the first summer my kids have gone to visit their dad in Florida. If your a parent I'm sure you can appreciate the "Now What" feeling of when your child is not home, because of all the free time. Not to mention the O' my Gosh, am I ganna make it that long with them gone, without pulling my hair out with worry.
So, I took a full summer of classes, worked, built four bookcases, and built a platform bed for my son's room. I know who new kids took that much time, lol. Any of you that don't have kids keep that in mind before you decide to. Because, I would have been buying those cheap bookcases and a metal frame if they had been home and wondering when I would find the time to take them out of the box. I will try to post some pictures of the bed and bookcases if anyone wants. Well 2 blogs down and 2 to go. Maybe next time I will try talking about something to do with class. ttyl

Class

I really enjoyed class lastnight, even though I was killed when I finally got home. I'm sure we all were. Class was interesting though because I found out that speech was not sign landuage. I thought that it could be considered a speech, but then I seen how it was vocally and from your voice and mouth. I think some of what we discussed had to do with what we as an individual thought of the subject. It's still good to get a books view too though.

Hi

I'm going to go ahead and re-introduce myself even though we did this in class. If your like me by the end of the week with all the new introductions they all start to mesh together. With that in mind at the next class I would remember things like you grew up with a "blue cat" just forget recalling your name.
Okay, so I'm Michelle Ballinger and I grew up here in Madison County. I graduated from Eastern in 2005 with a psychology degree. After graduating I started substitute teaching and loved it. I also maintained my prior job of seven years at the YMCA and moved up to assistant director of the daycare. After much thought I left this position to come back to Eastern and follow my heart in Special Education.
I have two children Amber who has just turned 12 and is in seventh grade, and Devin who is 13 and in eight grade. We have a dog named "rocky". After visiting there dad in Florida, over the summer, they came back wanting more critters so now Devin has a parakeet, and Amber has a hamster.
It was nice to meet everyone and I will see you in class.

Blog 1

Hello everyone,

My name is Brittany Herron and I am a Senior here at Eastern working on my Occupational Science major, and also a minor in Special Education. I work fulltime as a service provider for adults with mental and physical handicaps in Lexington. I am from West Chester, Ohio a growing town straight up N.75. I plan on getting a Master's degree from Eastern in Occupational Therapy.

I am excited to start classes and see you all soon!

All About me

Hello everyone, my name is James Daniel Sandlin and I'm from Nicholasville, Kentucky. I went to East Jessamine High School the place at which I coach JV basketball. I really enjoy working with the kids it has taught me a lot for the future in teaching. My major is LBD and I'm so excited to be in this field to have the chance to make a difference in children's lives. I really enjoy going to EKU it was the best move in my college career to transfer because of the great faculty at the school who seem to care more then other colleges I have been to. Hope that lets you know a little more about me, if anyone needs anything that I can help with just let me know.

Hi!

Hi my name is Amanda Laker, I am from Cincinnati, Ohio and I am currently a junior here at eastern. I am looking forward to beginning this class, learning new things and meeting new people.

Hi!!!!

Hi!!! My name is Hali Phelps i am from Somerset, Ky. I am a Junior this year at EKU majoring in special education. I love meeting new people so i cant wait to see everyone Wednesday!!!

Hi

My name is Lauren Melvin and I am a transfer student from the University of Kentucky. I'm looking forward to starting school and getting adjusted to Eastern.

Hello

Hello,
I am a transfer student fron University of Louisville. My home town is in North Bend WA. I am excited to begon classes its a much needed break from working full time in retail over the summer break!

-Lindsay Florence

Welcome

Welcome to the Class blog. You will use this blog to share ideas, ask questions, follow-up on class discussions, prepare for tests or any other way you want to connect with classmates and the instructor to enhance communication and your learning experience. Feel free to begin by posting a brief introduction of yourself and even uploading a picture of yourself or one that is unique and shares something relative to your summer experiences.