Philosophy of Education for Colton Spearman

Every student has the right to an education

I believe students deserve to have an education centered around their
specific learning style, so that they can get the same chances as
success every other student has. It is my desire to be a special
education teacher in order to help foster these specific individual
learning environments.
It is important to include accommodations and modifications in
the childs general education curriculum so that student can be
with peers throughout the day...
While students with exceptional learning needs may not grasp specific
content areas as quick as students without exceptional learning needs,
they are still both children, who both want to learn, play, and have fun
in a comfortable environment. It is my desire to make sure students
feel as included in all parts of school as possible while still getting the
specific accommodations and modifications set in place for their
success.
It is important for a student to appropriately advocate for
themselves
A child who exercises self-advocacy can find solutions to challenges
his/her parents may not be aware of, while also building selfconfidence in his/her ability. Self-advocacy can also create a sense of
ownership in the students learning, and it develops independence and
self-empowerment (Lee, 2014). This will help them in problem solving,
which can help in controlling their tempers, fostering a great learning
environment, and creating a great learning environment for those
students around them.
It is important for a student to realize that it is their
responsibility to learn the material being taught
I have witnessed that when a student is taught self-determination, they
will strive for success, not for others, but for themselves, which I
believe is the most powerful tool they can learn. I also believe a
student should be expected to learn at their highest ability possible.
Students should understand it is alright to be comfortable in
their own skin

Everyone should be taught to accept the differences between one

another. Certain, different, or special aspects of a child create their
own personality, and we should celebrate the uniqueness of students
so they feel comfortable with themselves. This, then, should create the
best environment for learning.
I believe parents should have a big part in the education of
their child
After all, parents know the students personality the best. They have
information from the students home life that could be useful in the
success of the students school life. Statistics show that a good working
partnership between teacher and parent is essential in giving a child a
quality education (Loughran, 2008). The way I plan to enhance the
parents experience with their students education is by letting them
know that I am here to advocate for them. Also, that we are a team in
the education of their child. Success at school and home is critical for
the correct growth a student with exceptional learning needs to be
successful in life.
As the special educator, it will be my job to understand that
special education is evolving everyday
New research should be taken into consideration when thinking of
individual learning plans, accommodations, and modifications. New
theories with new evidence of what works in classrooms could change
the environment for the better, which is why understanding and
accepting new practices is necessary.

"The Benefits of Inclusive Education." PBS Parents - Education. PBS, 2012.

Web. <http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/learning-disabilities/inclusiveeducation/the-benefits-of-inclusive-education/>.
Lee, Andrew. "The Importance Of Self-Advocasy." Understood. 1 Oct. 2014.
Web. <https://www.understood.org/en/friends-feelings/empowering-yourchild/self-advocacy/the-importance-of-self-advocacy>.

Loughran, Sandra. The Importance Of Teacher/Parent Partnerships: Preparing

Pre=Service And In-Service Teachers. Journal Of College Teaching & Learning
5.8 (2008) Print
Ripley, Suzanne. "Collaboration Between General and Special Education
Teachers." Teacher Vision. 1997. Web. <https://www.teachervision.com/teachingmethods/resource/2941.html>.