I was ecstatic when I was offered a job with Renfrew Educational Services as a Gr. 2/3 teacher. However, after the realization settled in that I had taken a job that required working exclusively with students with special needs, I'll admit a slight panic started to set it. What had I done?! I've never worked with with special needs children on a professional level before. But I had never taught a three grade split classroom before either, and I think I did pretty good. So I figured this can't be too much different. I can handle this task.
Once seeing the school, my classroom, and the resources available I was put more at ease. Then when my principal informed me that one of the two Child Development Facilitators (CDFs) I would be working with had about 20 years experience with the school I calmed down even further. My other CDF was also new to the school, like myself, but not new to working with people with special needs.
After having a few days of training and sitting down and planning with my new classroom staff, I was soon ready for my students to arrive and knew it was going to be a great year. The relationships that were building between the three of us in the classroom were getting off to a strong start and we seemed to all work together well.