Running Head: PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT

Personal Philosophy Statement

Laura Collins
University of Kansas
SPED 854

Running Head: PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT

Collaboration within education has become a focal point of interest when trying to
develop a system that is beneficial for students with disabilities. Historically, students
with disabilities received the majority of their education outside of the classroom to try
and provide supports for their learning of the general education curriculum. The removal
of students not only hinders their ability to comprehend the content taught in the general
education classroom but has significant effects on their social abilities as well. Students
should be supported in an environment that is stable and consistent and not dependent on
their abilities or disabilities in the classroom.
When evaluating the least restrictive environment for a student there are many
factors. One of the most important factors should be whether or not the students
disability inhibits their ability to learn. If the student has the ability to learn then we must
evaluate the amount of support that must be given to the student in order to achieve
academic success at his or her own varying levels. When this has been established, it
should be the priority of the educational staff and family to determine how the student
can naturally fit in the environment of their general education classroom. Collaboration
between the Individualized Education Plan Team and education staff will create an
environment suitable for an individual student.
The Individualized Education Plan Team is a comprised of a special education
teacher, general education teacher(s), student, support staff, parents, advocates, and many
other people designated to make decisions for a student with a disability. Each member
of this group has an essential role in developing the supports for a student. Many people
misunderstand that the special education teacher develops the plan to support a student,
but really it is through the constant communication, data collection, and collaboration

Running Head: PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT

between the team that builds the actual plan for a child. This partnership extends by
having mutual respect for each persons beliefs and opinions for the child and having an
open mind to the varying situations in which students need support.
The partnership and collaboration within special education is of the upmost
important when trying to develop action plans for students with disabilities. Although the
team will come together to develop a plan, each member needs support when enacting
their role of supporting and teaching the student academic or behavioral skills. Each
member of the team has an expertise that should be shared with one another. As the
special education teacher it is your role to facilitate the accommodations and or
modifications needed for a student, but this must be done with the assistance of the
general education teacher in order to keep the standards aligned. Both can learn from
each other when trying to develop a plan of action for a student. Following this,
communication must be active between the family and teachers to make sure that
behaviors and expectations are being followed through at home. The parents or family
members have a different emotional relationship with the student than their teachers do
and this information can play a key role into a students behavior or well being while they
are at school.
Collaboration stretches much father than the realms of special education, but it is
an integral piece of our current education system in the United States and the world. The
means by which teachers provide support for students with disabilities is constantly
changing and this is an essential reason as to why collaboration between educational staff
is so important. Teachers with varying experience can come together to share their views
and ideas to support a student to help each member provide the best support for a child.

Running Head: PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT