Barb Rentenbach

Yesterday from 5-6pm I attended Barb Rentenbach's presentation. I am a special education major and I have a great deal of interest in people with autism.

It is always so interesting to see how they live their lives.  Barb is no different than you and I.  Although she cannot effectively verbal engage in conversations, she is still cognitively there.  It amazes me in so many ways that she is now able to communicate through her typing device, and the impact Lois has had on Barb's life.

In Barb's book, she describes her life as being just as normal as ours. She is no different. She has all the same wants and needs, but maybe more complex fears.  She still experiences life in ways that we do, and she wants others to understand this.  She is an advocate for those with any disability, in particular autism.

"Dear teachers, embrace your power" are the words Barb typed onto the screen.  This was very inspiring to me as a future special educator.  We must embrace what we have learned to help our students become all they can be.  We must also remember that all of our students are capable of anything, and never to assume less of them.

Group Difference Forum

I really enjoyed the group difference forum.  I felt that we discussed very important topics for our future as educators.  Not only did I learn more about my own beliefs on how to deal with these issues, I enjoyed hearing others ideas.  I felt that everyone made good points and I will take everything learned from the forum with me into my future classroom.

I didn't really find many points at which I really disagreed with anyone.  I felt everyone had good points and that caused me to think more in depth about the topic. I was surprised at some peoples opinion and ways of questioning the audience.  

Overall, the group differences was very effective in provided me with insight on how to deal with future issues as an educator.  I hope that I was able to challenge others to think on my topic, as I did with everyone else.