Work+Experience

**//"There is no blue without yellow and without orange." -Vincent Van Gogh //**

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 * __Puzzle Video Reflection __**

The video of Nate is being shared with you because he is one of the most important people in my life. Nate is now twelve years old, and I have been working with him for two and a half years. Nate has a severe case of autism and has a lot of trouble with communication/language, as you can see in the video. I happened to find the job on the NCSU job website for students, applied, and was hired one week later. I did not know anything about autism before my work with Nate, and I can honestly say my job is a blessing. The world of autism has introduced me to an entirely new world, and I have such a better view on disabilities than I did before. With proper training and practice, anyone can make a difference for ANY child. I know that if I can improve Nate’s learning and behaviors then I can improve any student’s learning.

In the video, you will see Nate’s face make many expressions. Because Nate cannot communicate verbally, he speaks with his face and hands. We use modified sign language and are still working on Nate speaking by using short phrases when communicating with others. Nate can become very upset and has caused fear in many people around him because of his size. There are times I have had to physically defend myself from Nate’s strength when he has been upset, but he has little control of these impulses. Like my journey to the world of education, autism is such a puzzle, which is why puzzle pieces symbolize the disorder throughout the world. The video of Nate completing the puzzle shows just how capable of learning and completing tasks he is. I am so proud of the journey we have taken together, and I plan to keep in touch with him for the rest of my life.




 * __Ben Writing Picture Reflection __**

The picture shown of the young man working hard on his homework is Ben. Ben is Nate’s brother, and he is almost fourteen years old. Ben has Down syndrome and works harder than anyone I have ever known. He has a personality that encompasses zeal, determination, kindness, and so much more. His smile lights up the room like no other. Ben is definitely easier to communicate with than with Nate, but he has several language barriers. It takes a lot of time to understand what Ben is actually trying to say, but his speech therapy has gotten him very far. I have also been working with Ben for two and a half years, and our relationship has certainly grown. I have such a great rapport with both Nate and Ben, and I know it will be extremely difficult to leave them for student teaching.

The reason I chose this picture of Ben completing his homework is because I often take him to his taekwondo classes and make sure he has completed his homework beforehand. We also take nature hikes, write music, and complete schoolwork together. In the picture, Ben has a white belt, but he is currently waiting to complete the testing for his green belt! It is important for Ben to be active, and taekwondo provides exercise, as well as character building. I am very sensitive when it comes to others demeaning those who have disabilities. Ben gets very upset if he hears the r-word, and he becomes angry when people think he is a child, instead of a teenager. It takes a lot of effort and time to really build trustworthy and effective relationships with those who have disabilities, so I know I will be adamant about building relationships with my middle grades students.

Just a Couple of Pictures of Me with the my Favorite Boys!