My journey of Special Ed began 57 years ago … when I was diagnosed with dyslexia. As all individuals with learning disabilities, school was difficult, but it was those challenges that made me want to be a teacher. Being that I have dyslexia, it has helped me to understand what my students are going through, and it gives me an opportunity to help them understand that things will get better and that anything is possible. There are so many things that have stood out in my 40 years of teaching. Student growth and student success, my own personal growth and success and the ever-lasting relationships that I have built with students, parents, and colleagues.
I think of the student who came into my 9th grade classroom reading at the 2nd grade reading level and leaving high school with a full scholarship to a university and four years later, graduating and now a successful University hockey coach. I could tell of so many successes my students have had, and how they grew to understand that half the battle is believing in themselves; that their disability does not have to define who they are, but their hard work and determination will define who they will become.
I have been given great opportunities throughout my years of teaching to gain additional training in some phenomenal teaching techniques and learning strategies. I have been trained by and have been able to work with some of the top educators and researchers in the world.
My colleagues have been the source of encouragement and support throughout my career. On my darkest days, the encouragement, inspiration, and reassurance that I received from my colleagues helped me to persevere and to continue to always find that silver lining of every given situation.
If given to opportunity to do it all again, I would in a heartbeat. I wouldn’t trade my teaching career in the field of special education for anything in the world. Dyslexia, my students, my colleagues have made me the person and the educator I am today, and for that I am eternally grateful.