Do you think I have an IDEA/ADA case?

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Okay I failed at student teaching twice, both times in hard situations, both times having the students learn a great deal in class, and obviously no abuse or anything like that. Here are some of the facts involved:

1) Both of the teachers made comments that basically amounted to "Maybe autistics shouldn't be teachers", the second one going farther and suggesting that the teachers college was just in it for the money (despite the fact that they let me teach for next to nothing).

2) While I had some problems with classroom management the first time (so did my cooperating teacher btw, 23 BD students is too much for one class no matter who the teacher is) I always got good marks on things like lesson plans, implementation and the like, and the second time I never received any bad marks beyond the first week when I got one (basically for being autistic and stimming at the wrong times).

3) The students were learning! To me a teacher is there to make sure the students learn and want to continue learning (ala they aren't being abused, humiliated, or anything like that). I was told I joke at the wrong times, but if you have silly students and they are getting their work done... meh.

4) The only things they offered in the way of supports (yes everyone involved knew I was on the spectrum) was a counselor I had to drive 10+ miles to see (who was very nice be relatively powerless) and a somewhat pointless class that I had to basically pay $1000 for. Other than that I have been on my own from the beginning.

5) Neither cooperating teacher had much if any experience in terms of autism. Now if you are going to have an aspie student teacher... shouldn't they be working with someone who will somewhat understand them. I would hope so.

6) While they both offered reasons other than my autism as to why I failed, neither time was it very valid. The first time she basically made the environment so frustrating I felt I had no other choice but to quit (the final day I basically had to combine classrooms with another teacher teaching a totally separate class, than I was criticized fiercely when it went bad). The second teacher (or rather the district office who had never seen me teach) on the other hand gave 5 reasons why I was basically fired, 2 were bogus (I forget the first, but the second basically was that I didn't differentiate enough... ummm you can't differentiate when you only have one student!), 1 was entirely an opinion (the joking thing, many teachers joke around with students, particularly their ADHD students), and the other 2 basically amounted to me being autistic. Beyond that the two people that requested I not come back then had never seen me teach.

7) Both placements were given at the last second (the second one actually 2 days after I was supposed to start), so I didn't have time to get to know the teacher or the class. Again not the best of situations.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, we signed a "Performance Improvement Plan" after my first failure that basically should have amounted to a contract. My college, admittedly by no fault of its own, repeatedly did not live up to the contract (I was to be placed in a different school, 5 weeks before I was to begin student teaching so I could adjust to the school, needless to say this didn't happen). Beyond that if I was to fail any of my progress reports, which I didn't, I was to be removed from the program. I didn't fail... but I was removed from the program.

I don't know if there are any experts on the law around here, but after telling a mom of an aspie about my situation she is planning to go talk to a special education lawyers about this. I am not sure if I want to come back, and if I do I am not sure if I can afford to come back. But something does seem wrong to go out like this. Was wondering what anyone thought.

It sounds like you just might have a case. You said that two teachers told you that "maybe autistics should be teaching." That to me sounds like a bias against someone with a disability. If I were you, I would definitely consider talking to an attorney.