I have always loved learning. As I determined my career path, I realized the joy I experience in working with people with disabilities. I also realized learning does not always create joy for others (in some instances it creates anxiety or anger).
My passion is to specifically help people who feel frustrated and angry about learning for any reason. I want to be the catalyst for a new educational experience.
I left a career in Advertising in 1999 and chose to educate myself on how to work with people with disabilities. In 2001, I received a Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. Along the way, I worked with adolescents in rehabilitation for drug abuse and traumatic brain injuries. I worked with adolescents in a residential facility and adults in residential reentry program after incarceration. Finally, I worked with college students with learning disabilities and children, engaged in a community mental health program, while living at home. In 2009, I chose to work in Special Education in the public school system. In 2012, I earned my second Masters Degree. I have worked in the public school system since 2009 as a Special Education teacher because I believe all students deserve to have a teacher dedicated to their academic needs despite their disabilities. I also work with students without disabilities that simply have achievement gaps. I teach my students how to succeed in school. We work on the work, but, more importantly, we work on how to engage in the learning environment to be successful. There are three basic rules I teach all my students. The first rule is: Arrive on time and be prepared to engage in learning. The second rule is: Maintain a positive attitude about learning no matter the challenges. The third rule is: Always submit your work so your teachers can attest to your efforts (even if you don't understand or your work is not accurate). Teachers will see how they can help and often feel even more committed to help. The bottom line is I am committed to teaching and learning.