Hello everyone! After a few months since my departure from
the wonderful city of Parma, Italy, I think I have successfully integrated back
into American life, as well as back into the Boston College scene. Looking
back, I had such a wonderful experience in Parma and I wish so badly the chance
to go back and just spend one more day in the Piazza and enjoy a coffee. Those
were the days…
But I have been busy since my last post! During the summer I
worked full time at the BC Campus School working as the school TA “float,”
meaning that I work in every single classroom of students. This was such a
pleasure for me and so much fun because I got to know every student in the
school, and not just my usual group of 4-6 students. It was much more than
knowing a student’s name—it was knowing their needs, their quirks, and their
best learning styles. The BC Campus School is such a special place and I was so
glad to spend yet another summer working there.
With the Campus School in mind, this brings me to my
discussion about my Parma practicum experience, where I did not work in special
education setting. If you are unfamiliar with the Campus School, it is a school
for students with severe intellectual and developmental disabilities. While I
did not come in contact with any students from this population in Italy, there
are for certain there. Furthermore, I did not work with any students—to my knowledge
(an important distinction)—that have autism, learning disability or ADHD. It
would have been interesting to have had a conversation with my teacher about
IEPs and special education in Italy with my teacher, but it was a conversation
that never came up. This is something looking back I regret not having done. I
am sure that teachers and administrators have to develop some sort of plan for
students with unique needs, but I am unsure of the process that it entails.
In a couple of weeks from now, I will begin my third
pre-practicum (at a location TBD), which I am very excited to start. It will be
my first experience back in a traditional school setting since working at the
San Benedetto School in Parma. I am excited to begin a inquiry process about
the similarities and differences between my new and old students. An ocean may
separate them geographically, a difference in language and culture, but I truly
believe that there is a unifying quality amongst all children, regardless of
where they are from. All children are programed to be curious individuals, with
the potential to learn. It was amazing to watch children I had never met,
speaking a language I barely understood become so excited about seeing my
PowerPoints about this magical land called America. I remember being amazed at
watching Fourth of July firework shows when I was younger, and when I showed my
class of 11 year olds this in Italy, there was the same face of wonder. A
moment I hope to not forget in my teaching career.
And with that, I think that is a good place to wrap up! The
largest thing I took away from Italy was that there are more similarities than
connect us as people than things that make us different from one another. And
even those differences are something to be celebrated, and I am ever conscious
of that now than ever, and I have my practicum to thank for that.
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