Throughout  my life I have had the opportunity to be exposed to and learn many additional skills that I will be able to use within my own classroom. I believe my knowledge in these areas will prove to be very useful and beneficial as a special educator.

Brain Gym®:I attended a teachers in-service that taught the fundamentals of Brain Gym® and how to use it in the classroom. A special education teacher and I then modified the exercises and began using them with students that have cognitive disabilities. At first I was a little skeptical about the approach, but once we begin using it with the students my attitude changed.  I was amazed how positively the students responded and how it affected their behavior and academic performance. When I saw how Brain Gym® increased the students performance I began using it in my  academic career and I have found it to greatly increase my concentration, awareness, and relaxation levels. I have used Brain Gym® with many students I have worked with and I continue to be amazed with its affects each time it is implemented.

Examples of Brain Gym Exercises

A Brain Gym display I created for a presentation.

Sign Language: I have always had an interest in sign language and learned a few words from students I have worked with, but had not had the opportunity to actually learn it until my junior year of college when I was able to take a signing course

I am not quite fluent in it yet however, I know the basics and am able to use it to communicate with the students that I work with.

I believe sign language is a key element in special education and I know I will be using it within my classroom.

"I love you" sign

Love and Logic: I have been employed as a daycare teacher and preschool assistant at Hilltop Daycare and Preschool in Rice Lake Wisconsin since 2005 and continue to work there in the summer months. The teachers at Hilltop have been trained in teaching with Love and Logic and implement it within the facility. I have been fortunate enough to learn the all about this classroom management system and implement it with children at the daycare/preschool. This management system allows children to be responsible for their own choices and teaches consequences to decisions, it  uses humor, hope and empathy to build child/adult relationships, provides limits in a caring way.

I am a strong supporter of this system and use it with children in many different settings and classrooms. I have seen children's behavior and actions improve with the use of Love and Logic and have also witnessed children taking responsibility for their actions and becoming self advocates for themselves and their choices.

As an educator I believe I will continue to implement elements of Love and Logic within my classroom with my future students.

Special Olympics: I officially became a Special Olympics volunteer in 2006. Prior to me becoming active within the agency I supported many students whom I have worked with whom are Special Olympic athletes. Two of my neighbors are also very active within the Special Olympics organization and are always filling me in on their Tee-ball and Bowling teams, practices and competitions. I had been attending their events for quite sometime and wanted to become involved the organization because it has brought so much joy and happiness to people I care about.

Since becoming a volunteer I have had the opportunity to meet many wonderful individuals and have been able to watch and share in their happiness and success.

A special Olympian and I preparing to roll the ball down the ramp, hoping for a strike!

Special Olympians in an intense basketball tournament

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