Graduate Projects
Learning Disabilities​
This presentation was created with the intention to share information about students with learning disabilities with other teachers. There is an examination of implications for individuals, educators, and parents. It provides definitions and resources that a variety of individuals, especially teachers, can use in their interactions with students. This project demonstrated the ability to provide information on a topic and use various resources to create a sharable presentation.
Personal Manifesto​
This document is meant to serve as a resource for special education teachers. It provides a variety of resources for teachers in understanding the field, professional development, planning, communicating and many other areas. This can be a starting document for individuals looking to further understand special education and implication. This project is a representation of my work as a special educator and how I can use current resources to assist others in their education.
Leadership/Organization Challenge
​This paper looks at the need for having a clear vision for special education students with more severe disabilities. It starts by looking at the problem, developing steps in the process, how implementation would impact a variety of individuals, and how to use data and create ownership within the school setting. The process to develop this plan to improve the vision for special education students, as well as how to work with administrators and colleagues, demonstrated my growth in understanding and leadership abilities.
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Special Education
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports​
This presentation was created using information about PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) for a school wide setting. I designed this as a presentation that can be used to provide staff members with information about how to implement a positive behavior program and incorporate what the school is already doing. This project demonstrated the ability to understand a program and modify it to fit a specific setting (school).
Literacy Learner Analysis​
The literacy learner analysis is a paper to assess a student's reading level and where they are currently performing, plan interventions, and determine growth. I worked with a 7th grade student who had a learning disability and dyslexia, and was reading well below his grade level. With specific one-on-one instruction the student was able to gain skills and make growth in his independent reading level. This paper documents the differentiated instruction for this student and how with specific learning targets a struggling student can make academic growth.
Special Education Delivery Model​
This presentation was made to examine the impact of special education delivery on minority students. It looks at the impact of self- contained versus inclusive programs on a variety of students. I have included suggestions for special education delivery moving forward. This presentation was used to delve into the impact of special education delivery and how it influences students in minority groups and their access to equitable education.
Assessments- Their Role in the Classroom​
This paper looks at the use of assessments in classroom settings. It compares two different articles and looks at how assessments are currently being used. While being necessary, we must ensure that our assessments are informing instruction in the classroom. This paper represents the ability to assess assessments and their uses, while planning what is best for students and continued classroom teaching.
Great Lakes Research Project​
I created this website to reformat a preexisting unit for 6th grade students. It places the necessary information for this unit in an online format and allows for a variety of learning methods for all students. This website is a one stop location for all parts of this unit for both teacher and student reference. While the unit originally existed in print only, this website represents the ability to reformat a unit using new tools and technologies available to teachers.
Special Education Tools​ Infographic
Both of these infographics provide information and links that can be beneficial for teachers working with students who may have disabilities. One provides resources classroom use; the other provides information about online tools to assist students by increasing online reading independence with new tools and technologies. These infographics represent the wide range of tools and technologies available to support students in both general and special education.
Unit Paper​- Book Review
This paper was a reflection to the book Hamlet's Blackberry by William Powers. In this paper I look at how living in a digital world impacts us as individuals and the need to be constantly connected. While being a changing world, we must assess the impact technology plays in our lives. This paper encouraged growth in the ability to view technology and the impact of the digital world both in school and in personal lives.
Unit Paper​- Book Review
This reflective paper is based on the book Truth, Beauty, and Goodness Reframed by Howard Gardner. I looked at the need for students to understand all three qualities in the educational setting. While our educational practices are constantly changing, we must assess how we implement these virtues and help students to be mindful of these qualities. This paper demonstrated a growth in the mindset of ways to educate students with various virtues in mind.
This showcase of work is a culmination of projects throughout my time in the Master of Art in Education (MAED) program through Michigan State University (MSU). I am currently a special education teacher and I am working to complete my master’s program in May 2017 with emphasis in technology and leadership. I have included a variety of projects and assignments that I created with various intentions to grow as an educator. Below you will find the artifacts grouped into three different categories. One category is special education, where I have some artifacts about working with special needs students or ways to support them in their education. The next section is technology related where I display some technology based artifacts. The final section is learning and growing which represents some assignments related to personal growth, growth as an educator, and development of new ideas. Please click on the image to see each artifact in its entirety.