1. Interview a teacher for special needs- Brooke Walls

This semester I spent a great deal of time out in the schools, which I have really enjoyed, but have defiantly felt the time crunch with three placements. For Exceptional Learners I spend time at Eastwood Elementary in Brooke Walls’ special education class. Eastwood elementary special education class is different because it is an ED class. I was able to observe inclusion alongside a Karen, a paraprofessional and with Brooke in her room.

The last day at Eastwood I sat down with Brooke and asked her a few questions. I talked with her about instruction delivery methods, inclusion and the obstacles of inclusion, the amount and type of services her classroom provides for students, her interactions with students of special needs, peer relationships for her students in and outside of her classroom, collaboration, and what biases she sees in cultural differences and minority representation in her classroom. I also asked her how she came to be at Eastwood and what being in an Emotionally Disabled classroom entails. Brooke and I talked for a good 30 minutes. One thing I find very interesting, which is different for everyone, is the journey that connects one with disabled children and adults. Brooke started off with a BA in Elementary Education with a minor in math and Spanish. She taught for a short time as an 8^th grade math teacher and did not enjoy it. She wanted to work with students that would be motivated by stickers. She then went to Ireland through school. In Ireland she worked in the schools and did lots of pullout work with children, most often they were children with special needs, but there was no program for them. She really enjoyed her time in Ireland and came back with the idea of Special Education in the back of her head. When she stared at Eastwood she really didn’t know what an ED class was, but she quickly learned along the way. This is her 4^th year at Eastwood teaching in her ED class. She currently getting her maters in Special Education, she started out at Eastwood with an emergency license.

I really enjoyed my time with Brooke and I found her to be a great resource when ever I had any questions. Her paraprofessionals were also great in answering any questions I had. Brooke has a really great team that makes her room friendly and inviting.