Christine's story presented in the Challenge is based on an actual teacher's experience. Click on the movie to the right to learn more about Christine's first year as a teacher and to review many of the factors needed to support new special educators. (Time: 0:56)

View Transcript

Think back to your initial responses to the following questions. After working through the resources in this module, do you agree with your Initial Thoughts? If not, what aspects of your answers would you change? Anna and Michael—the two teachers who left—both described feeling overwhelmed in their new positions. Are their feelings typical of those experienced by other beginning special education teachers? Why or why not? What were some of the problems that Anna and Michael experienced that might be unique to special education positions? What could administrators like Dr. Monroe be doing to support new hires like Christine, Kevin, and other beginning special educators during their early years?