Introduction for ED 505 Class

As a first grade child I remember coming home to my four year old brother after school and telling him to sit in front of the chalkboard in our utility room so I could teach him. I'm not sure why he listened to me, but he did. Back in the day(1965)...there were only private kindergartens in Alabama so first grade was my first school experience. My first teacher, Mrs. Blakeney, made learning so much fun that I wanted to come home and teach Terry everything I learned! Maybe he thought my teaching was fun and that's why he listened to me. But from that year on, I wanted to be a teacher for young children like Mrs. Blakeney. That has never changed, although during my college years I worked at Camp ASCCA and realized I wanted to focus on young children who needed special education.

In 1981, I graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Early Childhood Special Education.  I landed a job in the "perfect" classroom in Phenix City, AL.  I had 13 students from kindergarten through third grade with various disabilities such as visually impaired, deaf, physically disabled, intellectually disabled, and more! I had two aides to  help me.  I felt like I didn't have a clue what to do except love these little students and begin to learn sign language! Sometime during that challenging first year, a friend cross stitched this verse for me:  "A wise teacher makes learning a joy." (Proverbs 15:2)  This became my motto for teaching and later for parenting.  I am sure I have not always lived up to these words but they are still my aim. I have never minded doing the messy projects that my students and own children loved.

I taught for nine years and then stayed home with my three children for 14 years. I went back to teaching 4K at my church part-time for five years. This inspired me to renew my teaching certificate to teach special education. I began taking online classes to renew the certificate in 2008 and then decided to complete my Master's degree. I plan to finish in July 2012. I am not sure who will be the most excited about me finishing...my husband and family or me! 

In August of 2010, I went back to teaching special education in the public schools for the first time in 19 years! WOW! Things had changed so much that I felt lost most of the time about what I should be doing. Now there was inclusion to deal with, IEPs on SETS, and AAA!  My graduate classes and co-workers have helped me so much. I am now in my second year and still constantly learning what I should be doing with these precious lives I am responsible for teaching.

Along with teaching, my faith in Jesus and my family and friends are most important to me. As a family we have loved going on annual mission trips to Nicaragua where I have the opportunity to teach Bible school with my best friend.  We also love Auburn football since my husband, son, and I are all Auburn graduates. Our daughter currently attends Auburn. Our youngest son is still home with us and in high school. I also have a precious new daughter-in-law. We all like to get in the kitchen and cook together.  Personally, I love to read and scrapbook when there is time.

I am looking forward to this class to learn LOTS that I don't know about technology. I especially want to know what to do with these three ipads I just got for my classroom. Please send me your ideas!!

And P.S.---My brother that I taught in the utility room grew up to be the valedictorian of his high school class. I like to think I gave him a really good early start!