Conclusion
Based on my findings, there are various techniques teachers can incorporate to meet the needs of "at-risk" learners. The techniques I found that have been successful based on my research are:
1. Incorporating technology into lessons help enhance students' engagement and achievement levels when learning new skills.
2. Digging deeper and finding the gaps that children may have which are inhibiting them from learning new skills. Teachers can find these gaps through various assessments and progress monitoring. Once the teacher triggers the gaps, they need to provide these students with direct explicit small group instruction.
3. Teachers should provide research based instruction and intervention for their students.
4. Teachers need to reach out to their students' parents and educate them about their child's curriculum. Provide parents with materials or strategies they can use at home. Parents want to help but some feel uncomfortable in asking for help, therefore make things welcoming for parents and create a trusting relationship.
1. Incorporating technology into lessons help enhance students' engagement and achievement levels when learning new skills.
2. Digging deeper and finding the gaps that children may have which are inhibiting them from learning new skills. Teachers can find these gaps through various assessments and progress monitoring. Once the teacher triggers the gaps, they need to provide these students with direct explicit small group instruction.
3. Teachers should provide research based instruction and intervention for their students.
4. Teachers need to reach out to their students' parents and educate them about their child's curriculum. Provide parents with materials or strategies they can use at home. Parents want to help but some feel uncomfortable in asking for help, therefore make things welcoming for parents and create a trusting relationship.
My Journey has Come to an End....
As an educator, I am one who now seeks answers and finds research based solutions that will help benefit my teaching and my students. In order to meet the needs of "at-risk" learners, I will be more differentiated in my teaching. I will accomodate various things that will enhance my students engagement and help assist them in obtaining new skills. I am now more invested in digging deeper to find the barriers that are keeping my students from learning. Every child has the capability to learn. It is up to the teacher to find the techniques that works for each individual child. It is also important for home and school to work together collaboratively. As a teacher leader, my goal is to fill in the gap between home and school. Once parents become involved and build a trusting relationship with their child's teacher, the outcomes of their child's academic performance becomes more postive and meaningful. My journey has been filled with hardwork and time well spent invested. I am leaving this journey and creating a new one to use what I have learned and put forth my best practices. It was a journey that will follow me for the rest of my career.
