Art Educators and Students with Special Needs
I was thrilled to be the award recipient of the NAEA, CEC, VSA Special Needs Art Educator for 2010. As all of you know art educators teach students with special needs. I have always had a special place in my heart for these students and strived to help them find success and accomplishment in my classroom. Then, six years ago, I lost my hands and feet. My home had to be modified with wider doors so that I might pass through easily. My school system had to make modifications for me to be able to return to my classroom. Modifications were made to my van so that I might drive independently. Naturally, my way of seeing many things changed. As art educators we must look at student modifications as a positive move for the individual student to be successful in our class and in life.
Special Needs student 1st at Mini Works
My personal journey created a more positive atmosphere for inclusion. I found that I had even more empathy for students with special needs than I had previously. I once heard the word, empathy, defined as, “Climbing into the other person’s mind, seeing as they see and feeling as they feel.” Empathy goes beyond sympathy. As art educators we do not always understand the physiological details of special needs’ students. Sometimes they are included in our classes before we receive paperwork that spells out needed modifications. When behavior modifications become necessary, we have the opportunity to work with Special Education faculty to maximize a student’s potential.
Kenji begins the show!
We could all use a little more empathy in our lives. A teacher who empathizes with any student, special needs or not, gets one step closer to understanding that student. Once we connect or bond with a student, we have part of the formula that we need to encourage, stretch, and grow that young person. As we are able to communicate because of our empathy for a student’s challenges, we show an understanding on a different level and teach that student to communicate through their art making. This can be a rich learning experience for teacher, student and peers
-Rebecca (Becky) Guinn
AL teachers who attended the Special Needs Awards Dinner in Baltimore
I agree with you as often people forget that empathy is important. There are many "regular" education students who could benefit from empathy as well. When students figure out that you are genuinely concerned for them and want them to succeed the possibilities are endless.
Great Dialogue,
Zerric Clinton Ph.D.
Cairo High School
455 5th Street SE
Cairo, GA.
Posted by: Zerric Clinton | May 20, 2010 at 11:06 PM
I would love to get some advice about working with special needs students. I am a brand new art teacher, just finishing my 1st year. My school has a high population of special needs students, and every single one of them has a special place in my heart. I have been looking for resources to help me create more engaging art lessons, and have been looking to learn more about working with special needs and special education students. I feel that this was a very important piece missing from my training as an art teacher!
Posted by: Allison Belolan | May 27, 2010 at 07:20 PM