Seek new horizons!
Mood:  energetic
Topic: Recommendations
I have just returned from the TASH national conference in Milwaukee. Let me highly recommend this organization to anyone who has an interest in special education and people with disabilities. The conference was 3 days of sessions, workshops, networking, and inspiration. One of the keynote speakers was Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary fame. I feel like I have gained a new energy and am eager to apply the lessons I learned on positive behavioral support, collaboration, inclusion, and advocacy into my student teaching. If you have a chance, the California TASH convention is coming to San Francisco in February.
For a truly mind-changing experience, visit normandemma.com and learn from these motivational speakers speak about disabilites in ways that you never considered.

electronic portfolios
Topic: Helpful documents
electronic portfolio

How To Produce A Teaching Portfolio

The following are extracts from Peter Seldin's book

"The Teaching Portfolio - A practical guide to improved performance and promotion/tenure decisions, 2nd Ed."

I just found this on the net. this site provides the first two chapters of a book on creating electronic portfolios.

Star Fish Poem
Mood:  special
Now Playing: Listening to the Rain outside
Topic: Inspiration
The Starfish Poem

Once upon a time there was a wise man
who used to go to the ocean
to do his writing.
He had a habit of walking
on the beach
before he began his work.
One day he was walking along
the shore.
As he looked down the beach,
he saw a human
figure moving like a dancer.
He smiled to himself to think
of someone who would
dance to the day.
So he began to walk faster
to catch up.
As he got closer, he saw
that it was a young man
and the young man wasn't dancing,
but instead he was reaching
down to the shore,
picking up something
and very gently throwing it
into the ocean.
As he got closer he called out,
"Good morning! What are you doing?"

The young man paused,
looked up and replied,
"Throwing starfish in the ocean."
"I guess I should have asked,
why are you throwing starfish
in the ocean?"

"The sun is up and the tide is going out.
And if I don't throw them in they'll die."
"But, young man, don't you realize that
there are miles and miles of beach
and starfish all along it?
You can't possibly make a difference!"
The young man listened politely.
Then bent down, picked up another starfish
and threw it into the sea,
past the breaking waves and said-
"It made a difference for that one."


There is something very special in each and every one of us.
We have all been gifted with the ability to make a difference.
And if we can become aware of that gift,
we gain through the strength of our visions
the power to shape the future.

We must each find our starfish.
And if we throw our stars wisely and well,
the world will be blessed.
~ Author Unknown ~

Who We Are...
Mood:  special
Topic: Introductions
S = student
T = teacher
R = resources
E = education
T = thoughts
C = community
H = help

The goal of this site is to create a forum for student teachers in the realm of special education and to develop a community of shared knowledge and experience. We invite you to contribute your anecdotes, ideas, and resources that will help, support, and inspire those of us in the field.