"Green" Teachers

In thinking about the relationships that teachers need to make with child, parent, family, staff, other resources, I am a little overwhelmed. When a new (green) teacher begins working at a new school the teacher has to learn a whole new system and school. I imagine that it must be pretty difficult to learn the new school, the staff, and all the students. What are the best ways to help a new teacher build these relationships? How can the "green" teacher prepare for making the support system for all the children that are soon to enter the teacher's new classroom?

Preschools

When helping children with disabilities form strong peer relations, it is important to start when the child is young. Even before the child becomes school age parents of said children should consider other options to help the child build good social skills. Many organizations and states have funded preschool for children with disabilities. This is a great opportunity for children to interact with peers and also a great way to find a good system of support for the child and the parents.
The US Department of Health and Human Services lists several federal funded programs including care for infants and preschoolers. This includes the Head Start Program which offers care for children 3-5. Children of low income families are eligible as well as children with disabilities. Ohio is one of 38 states that offers state funded preschool as well. The ohio public preschools are specifically offered to children with disabilities and they also invite 'typical' children to participate in the program to help build the most diverse and acceptable group. Preschool is a great way to help foster the relationships between parents and schools and resources.

Building Relationships

In reading the first couple chapters of our book and becoming familiar with Brofenbrenner's Social Ecology Model, I have become aware of how much stress can accumulate given the lifestyle needs of some of the children. The Model suggests that the best way to assist these families and students is in helping to foster stronger relationships with the family itself, the family and school, and the family and the community. I started to research some of the best ways to help build up those relationships.
The first section of articles I read about were focused on the relationships that students with disabilities have with their peers. The articles emphasized the importance of the teacher showing acceptance of the child. Several articles also recommend teaching diversity. This can be done simply by addressing the similarities and differences between the different students in the classroom. It may also be helpful to have some classroom visitors of other people with disabilities.
When I think of teaching diversity in the classroom, I like to think of people from all over with many differences. In the classroom where I was this past year, the students were penpals with students in a very diverse school in Virginia. This was a great opportunity for the students to learn about others and hear how their lives were similar and different from the students. I also brought in materials from a trip to China to share with the students. We did many activities that displayed the diversity of life all over the world.