Mod. 2 - Task 1

I think when most teachers think about curriculum and why we need to consider it, the answer “it is what our school requires” that comes to mind. I think we all would like to have our own input into what curriculum is and what needs to be taught but it usually happens that curriculum is something that is given to us by the school, state, or someone above, and we work with it. This is part of being a teacher, we can work with what we are given and I feel that it at least gives us a direction in which we need to go. I am a special education teacher so I do not have a specific area of content that I went to college to teacher nor do I teach a specific content, I teach a little of everything. Through my 4 years of teaching experience I have learned that curriculum is what keeps us on track and allows us to teach the specific content in a specific alignment. I have learned that curriculum is not only what the state or the school requires of teachers but it is what keeps us as teachers on track. This is also what I learned in the articles we read. We have a framework that keeps us accountable for our own actions and for our student’s actions. Considering curriculum allows us to be sure we are giving each of our students what they need in order to learn the material that is necessary that grade level. As a teacher of a particular grade or subject we are responsible to make sure that students learn the material they need to move on to the next grade level. We teach the curriculum and help each student get to the point that they can move on to a new teacher or grade and they can pick up where we left of, and the student continues in the learning process.
I would say subject centered curriculum is what we most closely follow. We focus on core content and are sure to teach each of the specific goals and content areas that are aligned with our grade and subject. Due to being a special education teacher, I teach multiple subject areas. I meet with all grade level teams and all subject teams to ensure that I have all of the information on all of the grades and subjects that I teach. We closely follow the core content standards and I think this is a great way to ensure we cover the correct material at each grade level. We are able to align the curriculum and content and be sure to set goals and standards to meet each area required.
I think modern curriculum seems as it would benefit students that need closer attention to specific areas or students that are struggling in areas. This would benefit teachers that teach children who may need some special attention or a closer look at specific lessons, teaching methods or subject matter. As a special education teacher some of this curriculum seems that it would benefit my class, students and teaching methods due to the areas that my students may struggle with.
I think that overall curriculum is very beneficial. It is a great way to hold all students, teachers and schools accountable for the subject matter that needs to be taught. As a teacher, I would love to be able to have more input on the curriculum but do understand that there is a reason for the methods used and as a school we do benefit from all following the curriculum and ensuring that our student receive the best education they can.

This is my first blog...

Hello my name is Heidi Lindsay (formally Heidi Schultz) . This is my first time blogging and I think it will be a great experience. I am a high school special education teacher at Walton, KY. I love my job and hope to continue working there for many years to come. I got my undergraduate degree in social work at NKU and worked for a couple of years in counseling, then got my teaching certificate in special education, now finishing up my Masters in teaching. I will complete the Masters, Teacher as Leader, program in May. I have been married for one year and we are expecting our first baby in June. We love spending time with our family and friends, traveling and watching sports. I look forward to this class and enjoy the new experience of blogging. I also lookf orward to talking more with all of you. :)