#teaching help

So for my teaching program, I have to interview a special education teacher about their experience working with children with special needs. Unfortunately, I’m struggling to find a sped teacher in my area to interview.

I have two students that have just seemed to have disappeared after requesting extra help in one way or another. One was a student who missed both exams last term, so I went out of my way to arrange she get admitted to the course this term, and arrange for her to write a take home exam. She has not replied since October. I am worried about her more than annoyed, because she said she had problems with depression when she was on exchange. I only have her email and as long as she isn’t replying to that, I have no idea what is going on. It is going to suck to fail her again.

Another student this term is in a similar situation. She is in BOTH of my courses and has missed most of them. The first course she said she missed because of medical and personal reasons. She needed surgery in her home country so she has been back and forth. I gave her extra information for the course, met with her, and discussed what to do for both that exam and the next course. And now, no answer. I don’t want to fail her in BOTH my courses, but she has so much work to catch up on. I’m also worried about her personally. 

I’m working on writing report card comments and I’m really stuck on one particular student.  (Especially in Math) When he is medicated, he does a great job and clearly understands what we are learning, completes his work, and participates.  He shows that he understands the skills.  When he is off meds is a completely different story.  And there is absolutely no consistency to his meds.