Megan+-+Extra+Credit

I interviewed my mom, Ann Marie Faughnan, a certified Special Education teacher. She's been teaching for 29 years and has been in both urban and rural districts. She currently teaches at Chenango Valley Middle School and is working with 7th graders. I asked her to talk to me about what it's like being a Special Ed teacher and watch challenges see faces. She shared her experience with me and it's been very eye-opening.

"The biggest challenge are the kids and parents/families who don't value education. There is a high absentee rate with these kids. And it's sad to see kids who are so young who just don't care. But the best part is watching students grow and be successful in middle school. Having a parent or a student tell me how much I've help their child or them is incredible.

My colleagues and I work closely together as we have a team style set-up for our classes. I push into classes and my colleagues respect me and what I do. The kids belong to all of us, so we approach their learning the same way. My colleagues provide the direct instruction and I provide the support and back-up.

Most parents are pretty supportive. But the administration is so-so. Most of them don't really get it. It's not that they don't support, they just weren't Special Ed teachers.

College versus career readiness isn't really an issue in middle school. But most people are okay with not going to college. They can make more than those who went to college. Some of my colleagues have spouses without college degrees who are doing well. Middle school is an awesome place and most teachers really care about all the kids and want them all to succeed. The teaming really helps that.

State tests are a joke. We're actually taking them right now at CV. There minimal accommodations allowed. There's no reading for the ELA test and no calculators on the Math test, but all that is allowed on the Regents.

I'm not worried about the new standards. I work with great people who will implement them well. We'll figure it out! What I'm more concerned with is that the State is phasing out the IEP diploma in 2013/2014. The Special Ed students will then have the Regents diploma or nothing! The local diploma was also recently taken away. We'll just keep fighting the fight! Hopefully they'll put something else into place.

This is year 29 for me and I feel blessed that I still love what I do. I love fighting for the underdog. Sometimes I'm their voice to a bus driver, a coach, etc. or to them. I love their quirkiness, too. And their sometimes unloveable-ness. I do love Mom-ing them up. : )"

I'd like to thank my Mom for her time and doing what she job! She's does so much more than teach and I, as a future teacher, appreciate all she does and will do.