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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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
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6. Current Concerns of 70 Experienced Teachers (TX)
Keeping up with required paperwork
Arranging a balanced schedule
Keeping up on morale and confidence
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7. Another Suspected but Unreported Time Eater
TUTORING !
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8. How to Make the Best of the Time We Have
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9. 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

10. Teach Only Expanded Core
Be convinced
Be determined
Be resourceful--in other words YOU have to make it happen
Be firm
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11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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.”
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17. 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

18. 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

19. 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)
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20. TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS AND ENJOY YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
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