Unfortunately, I was unable to go to my actual internship site this week. I came down with a severe case of strep throat, which restricted my ability to leave my house. I was really disappointed to find out I could not participate in the initial meeting with the children. I did have interactions with my doctor though. I went in on Monday, late evening and received a standard “Strep test”. My Physician informed that my left tonsil was 3 times what its normal size should be and my right tonsil was 2 times its normal size, therefore it was hard to get an accurate swab on the strep test. I was running a 101 temperature and climbing. I was prescribed 5 days worth of antibiotics, steroids, throat-numbing wash, and advised to take tylenol for the soreness.
Working with special needs children has various potential hazards. Children are placed in a special needs class for different reasons. These reasons could range from a learning disability, behavior issues, emotional issues, physical restrictions, and problems at home. Each child is different and has a different set of needs, hence the importance of getting to know them all on a individual base. For example, a child with a behavioral problem may react to my tone of voice more than one with a learning disability. It is important to play it on the “safe” side with all the children.
Ergonomics is a vital part of my internship. It is the use of proper body mechanics. The teacher of my special needs class must use proper body mechanics when working their students. If a child who is wheelchair bound needs his/her wheelchair adjusted the teacher will have to bend down and get back up properly, otherwise it could injure his/her back. An injury to the teacher can inhibit their ability to teach and cause the students valuable time to work on things.
Children carry a lot of germs. They touch things without washing their hands afterwards, eat/drink after each other, put toys in their mouth, and often do not use a tissue when they cough/sneeze. This poses a high risk of germ transfer to anyone around them. Especially the teacher and intern. We will both be working very closely with the students on a daily basis. To prevent getting sick and spreading even more germs, it is vital that both the teacher and I wash our hands as often as possible and use hand sanitizer when we arent able to wash them. Finding a way to remind the children to wash their hands and use hand sanitizer is also a very important factor. It is good for them to learn those valuable skills as children.
OSHA and the CDC has a set of rules and regulations that are put into place in schools to ensure the safety of its faculty, staff, and students. Some of the most commonly used procedures are those that involve fire safety, evacuation, and emergency situations. For example the students have had fire alarm/evacuation practice drills from kindergarten all the way to college. This is because if there ever was a fire to breakout in a school, it is critical the students know exactly what to do inorder to get out safely. Another important rule are those that deal with any type of emergency situation. Emergency situations covers many different things such as, bomb threat, active gunman on campus, shootings etc. When these horrific incidents occur, the lives of everyone in the building is put on the line. Although, schools don’t like to scare students with the idea of those situations, they do occur on a daily basis and being well-prepared is first priority.
Each classroom is equipped with (or in close proximity to) certain emergency tools: fire extinguisher, first aid kit, and a map of school. The reason for this is nothing more than the safety of everyone in the building. Tools like a fire extinguisher need to be near by all the time. At any time a fire can breakout and without immediate action of a extinguisher it can get out of control. Safety in any situation is always first priority.
There are some interesting tips for school administrators in the article from http://www.nasponline.org, it lists the role administrators and responsibilities they should take. Leadership plays a big role in this. Administration does hold a strong role in the enforcement of rules, but they should also stand as someone who students feel comfortable enough to report personal issues to. If students feel overly intimidated they may be more likely to keep these problems to themselves, which means they are not properly resolved. It should be expected by not only administration, but faculty and staff make this a mission of theirs.
My week thus far, has been very exhausting mentally and physically. It started with the worse case of strep throat I have ever had and has finally started to clear up. I was disappointed that I was not able to get more experience with the students. I would have loved some one-on-one time to meet them all, and start a relationship, but I getting them sick was not the way to start that. Some of the positive things I have accomplished are a good amount of research on my internship, getting the proper attire ready, and arranging a car-pool schedule with a friend who lives near by to save gas. One majorare I could use improvement, is my time management. I think I have a tendency to get overwhelmed with school work, that I focus too long on the things that are least important rather than the most important ones. My goal is to try my best to speed up my pace and work ahead as much as possible to get through this last bit of senior year successfully. Next week I plan to talk to talk about my first impressions of the students, getting to meet and talk with them, and meeting the teacher I will be shadowing. Although, I have been unable to actually go to my site, I feel very prepared to start next week and make up for the missed time.
Working with special needs children has various potential hazards. Children are placed in a special needs class for different reasons. These reasons could range from a learning disability, behavior issues, emotional issues, physical restrictions, and problems at home. Each child is different and has a different set of needs, hence the importance of getting to know them all on a individual base. For example, a child with a behavioral problem may react to my tone of voice more than one with a learning disability. It is important to play it on the “safe” side with all the children.
Ergonomics is a vital part of my internship. It is the use of proper body mechanics. The teacher of my special needs class must use proper body mechanics when working their students. If a child who is wheelchair bound needs his/her wheelchair adjusted the teacher will have to bend down and get back up properly, otherwise it could injure his/her back. An injury to the teacher can inhibit their ability to teach and cause the students valuable time to work on things.
Children carry a lot of germs. They touch things without washing their hands afterwards, eat/drink after each other, put toys in their mouth, and often do not use a tissue when they cough/sneeze. This poses a high risk of germ transfer to anyone around them. Especially the teacher and intern. We will both be working very closely with the students on a daily basis. To prevent getting sick and spreading even more germs, it is vital that both the teacher and I wash our hands as often as possible and use hand sanitizer when we arent able to wash them. Finding a way to remind the children to wash their hands and use hand sanitizer is also a very important factor. It is good for them to learn those valuable skills as children.
OSHA and the CDC has a set of rules and regulations that are put into place in schools to ensure the safety of its faculty, staff, and students. Some of the most commonly used procedures are those that involve fire safety, evacuation, and emergency situations. For example the students have had fire alarm/evacuation practice drills from kindergarten all the way to college. This is because if there ever was a fire to breakout in a school, it is critical the students know exactly what to do inorder to get out safely. Another important rule are those that deal with any type of emergency situation. Emergency situations covers many different things such as, bomb threat, active gunman on campus, shootings etc. When these horrific incidents occur, the lives of everyone in the building is put on the line. Although, schools don’t like to scare students with the idea of those situations, they do occur on a daily basis and being well-prepared is first priority.
Each classroom is equipped with (or in close proximity to) certain emergency tools: fire extinguisher, first aid kit, and a map of school. The reason for this is nothing more than the safety of everyone in the building. Tools like a fire extinguisher need to be near by all the time. At any time a fire can breakout and without immediate action of a extinguisher it can get out of control. Safety in any situation is always first priority.
There are some interesting tips for school administrators in the article from http://www.nasponline.org, it lists the role administrators and responsibilities they should take. Leadership plays a big role in this. Administration does hold a strong role in the enforcement of rules, but they should also stand as someone who students feel comfortable enough to report personal issues to. If students feel overly intimidated they may be more likely to keep these problems to themselves, which means they are not properly resolved. It should be expected by not only administration, but faculty and staff make this a mission of theirs.
My week thus far, has been very exhausting mentally and physically. It started with the worse case of strep throat I have ever had and has finally started to clear up. I was disappointed that I was not able to get more experience with the students. I would have loved some one-on-one time to meet them all, and start a relationship, but I getting them sick was not the way to start that. Some of the positive things I have accomplished are a good amount of research on my internship, getting the proper attire ready, and arranging a car-pool schedule with a friend who lives near by to save gas. One majorare I could use improvement, is my time management. I think I have a tendency to get overwhelmed with school work, that I focus too long on the things that are least important rather than the most important ones. My goal is to try my best to speed up my pace and work ahead as much as possible to get through this last bit of senior year successfully. Next week I plan to talk to talk about my first impressions of the students, getting to meet and talk with them, and meeting the teacher I will be shadowing. Although, I have been unable to actually go to my site, I feel very prepared to start next week and make up for the missed time.