Although it sure doesn’t feel it here in Massachusetts,
spring is rapidly approaching. The end of the school year is busy with report
writing, testing, IEP meetings and discussions of transitions to the next grade
or school. I’ve been thinking about one of my preschool students who will start
kindergarten next year. He will be in a new building with a new teacher, a new
SLP and a new special education teacher. Many people in the building are
familiar with hearing aids (I work with another student in that building as
well), but they may not have experience with cochlear implants. I am fortunate
that his team has already begun to think about what kindergarten will be like
for this little guy and that they have welcomed my request to observe the
kindergarten classrooms now in order to find the best fit for next year.

As teachers of the deaf, it can be helpful to observe the
upcoming teachers and classrooms to think about the optimal placement for our
students with hearing loss. This requires a trusting relationship with
administrators in the district, as well as the ability to explain why we want
to observe and what we are looking for. Additionally, such observations require
time. Knowing that IEP meetings will occur throughout the spring, I start
observing in March so that I have time to thoughtfully consider all options and
work with the school team to make a recommendation. I cannot demand a
particular classroom, but I can certainly make a case for optimal placement!

With my preschool and elementary students, I begin by
working with each student’s case manager to explain why I want to observe and
what I will be looking for. Many times I am told by the case manager why one
teacher may be a better fit than another, which is helpful information to have
when I go in to observe. Sometimes the case manager facilitates arranging the
observation, other times I send an email or speak to teachers directly in order
to set up the observation. My email explains my role as the teacher of the deaf
as well as the purpose of this observation. Here are the things I look for in
the classroom:

• Where is the classroom located? At the end of a
  quiet hall? Beside the music room? Some noise sources can be reduced, others
  cannot.
• Use of technology in the classroom – a teacher who appears comfortable using the
  Smartboard, computers and other classroom technology may be more comfortable
  using an FM system than a teacher who appears to avoid or get frustrated with
  the classroom technology.
• Classroom acoustics – Is the room carpeted? Are
  there high ceilings and cinderblock walls? What about hallway noise? Is this
  classroom near a “heavy traffic” area? Sometimes within a building, classrooms
  may have different acoustical treatments. Again, some sources of noise can be
  adjusted such as re-routing the path classes travel to get to gym to avoid
  constant noise outside the classroom, others may not be so easy to fix.   Once students get to junior high and high
  school, there is less flexibility. Many times there is only one eighth-grade
  English teacher etc., and so there are limited or no options. In such cases, I
  may still observe if I am not familiar with the school in order to get an idea
  of what instruction will be like for my student, but it is rarely possibly to
  observe every classroom in the spring. At the middle school level when there
  are choices of “teams” rather than choices of specific teachers by subject, it
  can be beneficial to observe and compare the different teams in terms of best
  overall fit for the student with hearing loss and weigh the overall
  characteristics of one team vs. the other. If a student is particularly strong
  or weak in a certain subject area, it is important to look more closely at
  those teachers which can make the difference in team choice. Additionally,
  observing even when there are not many choices can help identify specific
  things for teams to consider and adjustments to be made ahead of time (i.e.
  ordering coverings for chair bottoms, addressing noisy ventilation systems; a
  transition from one elementary teacher to several middle school teachers who
  use the smartboard may mean suggesting multiple splitters be purchased, etc.)

When I am watching teachers, I am looking to see:

• Is the teacher using visual supports? A teacher
  who incorporates visuals as part of her teaching will be more likely to refine
  visual supports for my student with hearing loss than a teacher who does not
  use them inherently.
• How does the teacher handle group discussions?
  When there is a clear, organized system in place for how group discussions will
  occur and the teacher demonstrates strong management skills, the student with
  hearing loss will benefit.
• What do small group and independent work times
  look like? Is the room noisy? Are there quieter areas in the room where
  students can work? Are the expectations clear – do students appear to
  understand what is expected of them? The more organized and clear the
  expectations are, the more likely that the student with hearing loss could be
  successful in this classroom.
•   How does the teacher speak to the students? If
  the teacher uses a lot of sarcasm, figurative language, lengthy explanation and
  tangential discourse, lessons will be difficult for the student with hearing
  loss to follow. In contrast, a teacher who is explicit in her instruction,
  breaks down information and notices when students do not understand may be a
  better fit for my students.
• How do students talk to each other? Peer
  interactions in the classroom can be a reflection of what the teacher models or
  tolerates. When students are permitted to be short with each other, subtly
  tease or giggle when mistakes are made, or resist working with particular
  partners, this will create uncomfortable situations for our students with
  hearing loss. However, when such behavior is not observed or when teachers quickly
  put an end to it, these could be signs of a more supportive social environment.

There is no sure formula for identifying the perfect classroom
and the perfect teacher, but observations are one way to help the team make an
informed decision about placement for the upcoming school year.  The ability to observe and make
recommendations is dependent on the relationships that have been built throughout
the year. What role have you been able to play in making recommendations? What
difference has this made for your students?