22SP_EPY260A-CI-Survey of Exceptional Children

When watching the interview with Chantal May, I love how she started off by sharing the methods and courses that teachers must take in order to become a teacher for the blind. For example, when she discussed how they drop off the students with canes and blindfolds and have them find their way back was intense. And how some students use blindness goggles to have another experience with what it might be like to be blind. I was really taken back by this but as I started thinking about it, it really has the student (future teachers) immerse themselves into what their students feel like when learning. The obstacles and methods they use are effective and unique. I also loved the story Chantal May told about her sixth-grader who was taught to go up and down stairs and how the principal patted her on the back, congratulating her because she's blind. Mrs. May touched on how she felt slighted because as Emma's teacher, she doesn't want Emma to be treated differently just because she's blind. She's teaching Emma life skills that accommodate her disability and help her throughout life and that just because she's blind doesn't mean she can't do things that other people can. This interview was very inspiring for me to really understand and appreciate these teachers and all they go through to help students with impairments and disabilties.