feeling bad for FH (another teacher thread, sorry)

FH's first day as a first year tenure track teacher is today. (he took over leave replacements last year.)

He's teaching 5th grade inclusion. As of right now, he has 23 students. 5 of them are "special needs", and he has NO teachers aide in the classroom.

I feel so bad for him! It's only been 3 hours, and he's a little overwhelmed.

Does anyone know if there are laws about having aides in a special ed or inclusion classroom? If so, where can I find them? He's teaching in Nassau, if that matters.

Thanks!

Re: feeling bad for FH (another teacher thread, sorry)

*****sending good 1st day vibes*******

Re: feeling bad for FH (another teacher thread, sorry)

thanks Janice...

I guess I should ask about the laws when the teachers are actually ON the boards....duh.

Sorry guys.

Re: feeling bad for FH (another teacher thread, sorry)

i DEF know that you have to have a teachers aide in the class when there are students w/special needs......

Re: feeling bad for FH (another teacher thread, sorry)

Re: feeling bad for FH (another teacher thread, sorry)

bump, for any teachers that might be getting home around this time.

TIA

Re: feeling bad for FH (another teacher thread, sorry)

Is it possible they din't hire enough for the year and are still looking for people? I am pretty sure that according to Federal law, there are staffing requirements for special ed students.

I was a teacher and one of my classes was 23 with no special needs students and I could have used an aide! I can't imagine these numbers with no help.

Re: feeling bad for FH (another teacher thread, sorry)

I teach middle school english and I have one class with inclusion students.
i have an inclusion teacher (someone certified in special ed) in the class with me everyday (unless she's sick)
it is my understanding that you have to have a special ed certified teacher with you in an inclusion setting, or at the very least another body to give those students the accomodations the law allows them to get.

he should speak to someone - either his dept. chairperson, someone in the special ed. dept, or a union representive i fhe can't get to one of the other people.

it's not fair to either the inclusion students or the regular ed students!

Re: feeling bad for FH (another teacher thread, sorry)

thank you ladies - he is going to speak with a friend/curriculum director in his district. She'll give him advice, and send him to the right person.

I feel horrible! He's on his way home right now, and already b!tching about his day.

Re: feeling bad for FH (another teacher thread, sorry)

although, i have to say - i'm quite jealous of his class of 23 students....my biggest class this year has 32

Re: feeling bad for FH (another teacher thread, sorry)

32....yikes.

There's also a major language barrier that he's never had to deal with before. The majority of his students speak only spanish, arabic, and Haitian Creole at home.

Re: feeling bad for FH (another teacher thread, sorry)

Definitely has to be someone in there. They may be trying to get someone, they pay the assistants PEANUTS, so its tough. But in the meantime they should have a sub or anyone in there to help him out. I would definitely recommend he talk to someone quick, before the parents catch on and start coming to him complaining that no one is in there!! Good Luck!!

Re: feeling bad for FH (another teacher thread, sorry)

DH is a highschool english teacher and he was bitching today on the phone about the changes in the programs...he said that about 15 teachers were cut this year...DH was not cut thank god. He's tenured already...

Re: feeling bad for FH (another teacher thread, sorry)

There should be a para and the limit is one para for every 2 students.

Re: feeling bad for FH (another teacher thread, sorry)

as far as i understand, there does not need to be an aide or ICS teacher (in-class support special ed. teacher) in an inclusion class. it's based on the IEP (individualized education plan) of the students. if all of the inclusion children have IEPs that state that they must have an aide/ICS teacher, then by law, there MUST be one in the class- otherwise the parents can (& will!!) sue the school (& win!).

a special ed. teacher could probably give you a better answer though.

i've had many inclusion kids without an aide, and it is very challenging, especially in a large class.

best of luck to him!

Re: feeling bad for FH (another teacher thread, sorry)

thanks guys.

He just had that, "maybe I'm not ready for this" mentality, and he was really feeling like a failure.

I went over there tonight, he talked a lot and got it all off his chest, and he's going in there tomorrow and giving it a fresh start.

He had sooooo many parents call him today and demand to know WHY their kid was put in the "stupid class" (as they put it.)

Does no one know what inclusion means?!?!

Re: feeling bad for FH (another teacher thread, sorry)

We've all been there. I cried many times. It takes time and tell him to keep plugging. Does his school provide mentors? Mine saved me from always doubting my skills.

And btw, in May, they were talking about excessing 2 teachers. Now we have 2 1st grade classes with 29 kids (I can't take any more in my class), 2nd grade classes have 30 and the 4th grade classes, get this, have 39 each! 39 kids to one teacher

Go Bloomberg!!! j/k

Message edited 9/7/2005 9:17:57 PM.

Re: feeling bad for FH (another teacher thread, sorry)

Inclusion is when they take a small group of special needs students and put them in the general education classroom with the support of A special education teacher. This allows a lower functioning population of students to benefit from the environment of a general education classroom while also receiving the support necessary from the Special Education teacher.

Unless your FH is Spec. Ed Certified, he should not be the sole teacher of the inclusion class. He should have a Spec. Ed teacher and/or at the very least an aide in the class to give the children the supports they need. These children should most definitely have a Spec. Ed teacher responsible for them.

Is this a city school or LI? If LI, what district?

Message edited 9/7/2005 9:43:17 PM.

Re: feeling bad for FH (another teacher thread, sorry)

Re: feeling bad for FH (another teacher thread, sorry)

Posted by MissJones

We've all been there. I cried many times. It takes time and tell him to keep plugging. Does his school provide mentors? Mine saved me from always doubting my skills.

And btw, in May, they were talking about excessing 2 teachers. Now we have 2 1st grade classes with 29 kids (I can't take any more in my class), 2nd grade classes have 30 and the 4th grade classes, get this, have 39 each! 39 kids to one teacher

Go Bloomberg!!! j/k