Abbey Storey Practicum Phase 4 February 4, 2013 Professional Development Goal Content My aim is to learn more about the

daily tasks required for working with students who have more severe disabilities and more significant needs. My placements have so far all been with students who have high incidence disabilities. I currently think that I would like to work with a population of more low incidence disabilities, and therefore need to focus on becoming comfortable with such tasks as feeding, positioning, toileting and wheelchair maintenance and transport. Goals/Objectives 1) I will feed student GM independently including preparing his lunch, putting on his apron, positioning him, feeding him and cleaning up the area at least ten times over the course of the semester. 2) I will take student GM to the restroom, including transporting him there, addressing his toileting needs and cleaning the area at least 15 times over the course of the semester. 3) I will greet GMs bus at 8:10 and unload him from the lift chair, transport him into the classroom and take off his coat at least ten times over the course of the semester. 4) I will prepare and feed GM his morning snack at least seven times over the course of the semester. 5) I will prepare student GM to go home by putting on his coat, transporting him to wait for the bus and putting him on the bus lift at least ten times over the course of the semester. 6) I will watch the created MTD bus tutorial for transportation of individuals who use wheelchairs and transport GM twice over the course of the semester following the guidelines from the video. The achievement of these goals will help improve my professional knowledge by widening the population of students I am able to work with. These goals will help to make me a more well rounded special education teacher. Our certification covers ages K-21 and cross categorical disabilities. In order to fulfill this certification, I feel that I need to have experiences working with every population and addressing all of the needs and responsibilities that come with each. Illinois Professional Teaching Standards

o 1A: understands the spectrum of student diversity (e.g., race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, special education, gifted, English language learners (ELL), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity) and the assets that each student brings to learning across the curriculum. In order to address the spectrum of diversity, I must be skilled in addressing every students needs. o 3M: develops plans based on student responses and provides for different pathways based on student needs. To base off of students needs, one must understand students needs and be able to provide them. o 4I: creates a safe and healthy environment that maximizes student learning. To make all environments safe for the students with severe disabilities I will need to know how to feed, toilet and transport them safely. This professional development goal was identified by my cooperating teacher as a chance for me to grow professionally and gain knowledge about working with a variety of populations through informal discussions. I have not had any placements with students with severe multiple disabilities in any other phase, so there are no other practicum or portfolio evaluations suggesting such. This is a chance for me to expand my skills through a setting that allows me to learn these varying tasks. The planned activities are outlined in the goals themselves and involve actually independently feeding, toileting and transporting the student. Transportation on the public MTD buses will not occur until fourth quarter, which begins in March, so I will have the training video completed before that time. These goals will be monitored throughout the semester, as I will record each time I complete one of the tasks, along with the date completed. This will be showed to my cooperating teacher and supervisor. My cooperating teacher will have the chance to provide feedback after each completion.