Beth

Montick 1
SPED 854: Family and Interprofessional Collaboration in Special Education
Philosophy Statement - Reflection

1. Purpose:

This Philosophy Statement Assignment was completed for the course SPED

854: Family and Interprofessional Collaboration in Special Education. This

assignment was originally completed during the first week of the course and was

revised as part of the final e-portfolio project for the course. As stated in the original

assignment, the purpose of this assignment was to develop a personal philosophy

statement about the meaning of collaboration in special education. Specifically, we

were instructed to look at the meanings, purposes, and processes related to

collaboration in special education. The purpose of the revision was to look back at

the initial document and to decide where the course has changed our thoughts or

views on any of the topics discussed.

2. Approach to assignment and revisions:

This assignment had special meaning to me. I am working in a collaborative

partnership in a preschool program right now so I was able to draw on personal

experiences while writing this statement. The main idea that I uncovered while

writing this was just how hard true collaboration is. My partner and I work so well

together but collaboration can still be difficult. It takes time, effort, and a supportive

environment to be successful. While writing and revising this statement, I reflected

on what I had learned during the course and what I learned from my experiences in

collaboration. I focused on what collaboration means to me and the factors that need

to be in place to make collaboration successful.

Beth Montick 2
SPED 854: Family and Interprofessional Collaboration in Special Education
Philosophy Statement - Reflection

I had made major revisions to my Philosophy Statement when it was included

in my final assignment for the course so no further revisions were required. I

reviewed the statement and it spoke true to how I feel about these topics related to

collaboration. Also, I added the references page at the end of the paper.

3. How the assignment contributed to my development as a special educator:

This assignment was important to my development as a special education

because there are so many partnerships and collaborations in special education

today. Collaboration takes thought and planning to be successful. In my

collaborative partnership, we are constantly working on our communication and

coordination. Throughout the course of this year, we have even noticed that we get

off course, often by other people who are outside of the collaboration, and then we

have to work to get back on track. It does take a lot of trust to work this closely to

another individual where your jobs are intertwined.