Terri Clements

The first week back is hectic, but I feel much more confident this year (my second year) than I did as a first year teacher. I know how the Behavior Support Program is supposed to work. I have developed relationships with the other teachers and administration. I know who to go to for what...which was challenging last year as a new teacher. My biggest challenge this school year is in designing individualized lessons for each student. Trying to cover all the core subjects as well as electives is difficult. These students are supposed to be working in their individual area, which eliminates any interesting group or interactive lessons. It's challenging trying to find interesting lessons for them to do, sitting alone at their desk. Reading and comprehension is a struggle for most of my students as well...and if given assignments that are boring, or too difficult, their behavior goes downhill. It would be nice to have more resources for individualized instruction. My other struggle is motivating the students to want to do their best. We offer a lot of support and positive reinforcement in the Behavior Support Program, but at some point the student has to want to do things because it is good for them. That is constantly a source of frustration as a teacher.