The Expanded Core Curriculum: Finding the Time Kathleen M. Huebner, Ph. D. Pennsylvania College of Optometry KMH/PCO CORE CURRUCULUM

A Quick Review of What is Included in the Expanded Core Curriculum Compensatory Skills (Braille; listening skills; handwriting skills; abacus) O&M Social Skills Independent Living Skills Recreation and Leisure Skills Career Education Assistive Technology Visual Efficiency Skills (NA-1995) KMH/PCO CORE CURRUCULUM

KMH/PCO CORE CURRUCULUM What Itinerant Teachers Report as Most Time Spent on Expanded Core (CO) Braille Reading and Writing (listed on survey) Nemeth Instruction Braille Preparation Independent Living Skills O&M Vision Utilization (not listed on survey) Technology Training Materials Adaptation Large Print Production (Suvak 1999) KMH/PCO CORE CURRUCULUM

KMH/PCO CORE CURRUCULUM What Itinerant Teachers Report as Most Time Spent Teaching NON-Expanded Core (CO) Math Language Arts (Suvak 1999) KMH/PCO CORE CURRUCULUM

Additional Responsibilities and Time Consuming Activities Communication-Teachers-Parents-Administrators Travel Report preparation/paperwork Assessment Reinforce students’ other needs--MH Other Expanded Core areas-social skills, career education, recreation/leisure Materials ordering Professional development KMH/PCO CORE CURRUCULUM

Current Concerns of 70 Experienced Teachers (TX) Keeping up with required paperwork Arranging a balanced schedule Keeping up on morale and confidence KMH/PCO CORE CURRUCULUM

Another Suspected but Unreported Time Eater TUTORING ! KMH/PCO CORE CURRUCULUM

How to Make the Best of the Time We Have KMH/PCO CORE CURRUCULUM

Strategies to Make Best Use of Limited Time Teach Only Expanded Core Do Not Tutor Examine Your Strengths and Weaknesses Develop Appropriate and Shared Responsibilities-- Other Teachers/ Aides/Parents Increase Team Effectiveness KMH/PCO CORE CURRUCULUM

Teach Only Expanded Core Be convinced Be determined Be resourceful--in other words YOU have to make it happen Be firm KMH/PCO CORE CURRUCULUM

KMH/PCO CORE CURRUCULUM Avoid Tutoring Ask the question-- Does student need help because the visual impairment is impeding learning? If yes--teach If no--defer to other teacher, personnel, peer tutor, parents KMH/PCO CORE CURRUCULUM

Weaknesses Changed into Strengths Recognize your improvements Note that tasks now take less time Note that you now have more confidence in your decisions and the quality of your work Note that you no longer procrastinate or resist doing what used to be weaknesses KMH/PCO CORE CURRUCULUM

KMH/PCO CORE CURRUCULUM Develop Appropriate and Shared Responsibilities-- Other Teachers/ Aides/Parents Model--teach in the regular classroom Provide positive reinforcement Observe students in their regular classes…even snippets of time can tell you a lot Provide formal and informal training Teach your students to direct others for meaningful information-self advocate KMH/PCO CORE CURRUCULUM

Appreciate Other’s Diversity Culture Education Socio/Economic Status Response to having a child with a disability Confidence Trust Lifestyle Responsibilities KMH/PCO CORE CURRUCULUM

Keep an OPEN MIND and HEART Don’t bring old baggage into the relationship Approach each new relationship with parents with a positive approach Find out parents’ perspectives, beliefs, strengths, realities of lifestyles Have high--yet realistic--expectations for not only your students but their families as well KMH/PCO CORE CURRUCULUM

Give Parent’s Information “Don’t just tell me to do it, explain how.” “Taking classes made me feel better, like I know something.” “Parents need resources too!” “You have no idea how good it made me feel when you asked me to help teach the mom of the new VI child at the school.” KMH/PCO CORE CURRUCULUM

Increase Team Effectiveness Build & maintain positive relationships Maintain close contact Communicate a sense of teamwork Don’t complain Be a good listener Neither intimidate nor be intimidated See others’ perspectives Ask questions KMH/PCO CORE CURRUCULUM

KMH/PCO CORE CURRUCULUM Team Goals Group move toward common goal Each member needs a clear purpose Team members directed toward a goal that may not be clear to others KMH/PCO CORE CURRUCULUM

Support Comes From Many Within yourself (UP TO YOU) Family and friends (90%) Students (80%) Special education teachers (61%) Other Vision Teachers (53%) Parents (52%) Administrators (46%) Regular Classroom teachers (40%) Community (26%) (Seitz, 1999) KMH/PCO CORE CURRUCULUM

TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS AND ENJOY YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS KMH/PCO CORE CURRUCULUM