It’s the start to a new school year and a time for students, parents, and school personnel to build new relationships. One way to be proactive and start the year with a new school team is to share an introduction about your unique student. This may be the first time that a teacher has had an opportunity to work with a student who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH) or Blind or Visually Impaired (BVI). An introductory document or short video is one way to provide a general education teacher and additional school personnel with a snapshot of who your student is, what their strengths are, and what staff can do to support a great learning environment for your student. This is also a great way to support and develop your student’s self-advocacy skills.
Here are some tips for creating a student introduction:
- Keep the focus on the student.
- The report should be short and to the point; the purpose is to provide a quick overview of your student.
- Include the student when developing the introduction. Allow them to provide their input and include information they want to share with school personnel.
- Use the format that works best for you and your student. This could be a simple email, a one-page document with bullets, a brief slideshow, or a video of the student introducing themselves.
Topics to include in your introduction:
- student strengths
- a hope or goal for the school year
- anything the student is excited or anxious about for the school year
- tips and strategies that support the student’s learning
- classroom accommodations to support access
- tips for using assistive technology (if applicable)
- suggested resources to learn more
- parent and teacher consultant contact information
You can also find example templates on Pinterest, Teachers Pay Teachers, or Understood.org, which include question prompts to guide your introduction.
Remember to add mdelio.org as a resource for teachers to learn more about the unique needs of your student. Our Video Library will continue to expand throughout the school year with resources and helpful information.
Teachers working with students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH) can also earn continuing education credits by enrolling in a 30-minute course, Educational Supports for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
Don’t forget to send your introduction to all school personnel that will work with your student. The music, art, and physical education teachers also want to know more about your student. Students of all ages benefit from a positive start, and this is one way to build a connection for a successful year.
From Amanda Schneider, MDE-LIO Education Consultant