All+About+Me

 Hello! My name is Norm Pacheco, and I will be an Elementary Special Education teacher. I was originally born on an U.S. Army base just outside of Pisa, Italy as my father was in the armed services, and at the time he and my mother were stationed in Europe. With my father in the military, my family moved around from Italy, to Aurora, Colorado, to San Antonio, Texas, and finally back to Aurora. It is in Aurora where I entered the school year during the third grade, and where I ultimately graduated high school in 1993. I consider Colorado my home, and Aurora my hometown.

 I have worked with children for the last 17 years, as a before and after school day care provider, as a Special Education teacher assistant, and currently as a Behavioral Interventionist. I look forward to my future in Special Education, and I am extremely eager to help children with special needs achieve their academic goals and realize the strengths that lay within all of us, regardless of any disability or affliction. **__My Educational Philosophy __** Curiosity comes naturally to all children, and as an educator it will be my job to foster that curiosity and facilitate learning in spite of ability or cognition level. As a teacher, I will enter everyday with four goals: to keep my students safe, to demonstrate patience, to communicate respect, and to promote the dignity of the children. In achieving these goals each day, I will build the self esteem of my students which will in turn provide opportunities for learning. We have all been students at one time or another, and teachers are lifelong learners. I will never think that I have all of the answers, and I will never stop searching for new and better ways to help my students obtain the success that they deserve.

__**How I Will Integrate Technology in the Classroom **__ Technology is essential for all students, including special education students, in providing access to the world beyond their communities. Technology tools for the classroom are vital for students struggling to maintain a level playing field in school communities. In the 21st century, students with special needs must be trained to use the Internet for research, and extended learning such as typing, constructing graphs and spreadsheets, and making visual presentations. In addition, technology opens up another modality for learning. Technology aids and provides access to education for all learners, while promoting inquiry based learning. This gives students an alternative to traditional textbooks, worksheets, and other antiquated methods of gaining information.  Technology can also be beneficial for the students' families. I will be able to share valuable resources with families via the internet, as well as have a consistent and open line of communication with those families at all times.

__**My Resumé **__

