Sunday, August 19, 2012
Fall 2012 Introductions
Please introduce yourself to us here in the Comments. Answer questions like: What name do you go by? What experiences have you had with students with disabilities? When do you hope to graduate? What sort of teaching position do you hope to find? What kinds of students with disabilities interest you most?
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My name is Dave Koppenhaver. I am the instructor for this class. I have worked with a wide variety of students with disabilities over the year, including students with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, severe learning disabilities, behavior disorders, and multiple disabilities. My current favorite summer activity is co-directing Camp Courage's Literacy Camp for students with disabilities, educators, and related services personnel.
ReplyDeleteEveryone calls me Paige, and I hope when I'm a teacher, it stays that way! I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to being called Ms. Moretz.
ReplyDeleteWhat got me into special education was tutoring my cousin in junior English so he could graduate. To my knowledge, he was never designated as "disabled" but he did struggle academically and got really close to not obtaining his high school diploma. His frustration with English, along with his reaction to having someone work one-on-one with him, really inspired me to pursue education. Having that special and focused attention really helped him with the class and with learning. It was then I realized I liked working with students who have academic struggles or are considered "at-risk."
I haven't had many opportunities to work with students with disabilities yet. Speech language disabilities and learning disabilities run in my family, but I haven't interacted with these family members in a professional capacity. However, I can't wait to work with students who present a challenge to teaching.
Since I feel like I've been doing this college thing for a long time, I really hope I graduate soon! I've decided to go to graduate school because of my interest in working with adults (and focusing some of my content knowledge in English). So, it's looking like I won't be 100% done with school until 2016.
I know I want to work with adults. My dream job would be teaching reading to adults, but I would like teaching a GED program or teaching community college English.
SLD is my primary interest in special education. I'm also interested in those students who are "slow learners" and "at-risk." These students often aren't labeled with a disability, but still struggle academically.
I'm excited about this class! Meet you all soon!
-Paige Moretz
My name is Alicia Duh. After two and a half years of making myself miserable in the music department, I had a teacher last semester recommend that I go into special education. Due to this change, I am a junior again (or a senior for the first of two times, however you like to think about it). I have had some experience, through field experience in other education classes, teaching students with disabilities as well as experience with friends, family, and my friend's families. I really don't have any particular age group that I would prefer to end up working with. Most of my experience is with people with autism. I think they live in a super interesting world and I really look forward getting the opportunity to work with them more.
ReplyDeleteMy name is Ashley Crowder. I am a junior Special Education major. I am from Spruce Pine which is about as far as you can get from Boone but still in Avery County. I did not have any experience with the exceptional population until I got to high school. I conducted my Senior Project around the topic of autism. I guess you could say that is my niche. I am now involved with Autism Speaks U on campus. I also work with a child on the spectrum once a week on social skills and what not. As far as reading and SLD goes I have had little to no experience. I am really looking forward to learning throughout this course. I hope to go back to a rural area school and obtain a position as an educator/advocate for these exceptional individuals.
ReplyDelete