Who are you?

I am a career educator of 29 years. I have had the pleasure of teaching high school,  early childhood grades, and working as an elementary school librarian throughout my career. My current educator role is as a Special Education Early Childhood Educator of mixed-age 3 and 4-year-olds at Savoy Elementary School in Ward 8. In addition to being an educator,  I am the proud mother of three adult children, one of whom has followed me into the field of education as a high school math teacher in DCPS.  Lastly, I am the delighted Me-ma of two school-age grandchildren.

 

What is the nature of your job?

 As a special educator, I have the privilege and satisfaction of working with children with exceptional abilities. I provide one-on-one instruction to my students based on their Individual Education Plan (IEP) that outlines all the cognitive, physical, social-emotional, and academic goals that have been created for each student in my class. Besides my instructional duties, I collaborate with the classroom’s paraprofessional, ECE grade level teachers, and other related service providers that serve my students. Weekly collaboration ensures each student in my classroom has a personalized school experience that supports, encourages, and monitors their social, physical, and academic growth. As a devoted staff member, I am the moderator of the mentoring program for students in grades third through fifth.

 

What interests/concerns drew you to early childhood work?

One of my first jobs out of college was finding employment for vocational students with disabilities. I found great enjoyment in connecting students with real-life experiences but noticed the reluctance of employers to interact with the students confidently. Over time I helped to ease the transition into employment by encouraging positive communication between employers and employees. This work piqued my interest in special education. 

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Once I entered DCPS, I was assigned as a special education teacher. However, upon arrival at my assigned school, I was informed that I would be a first-grade teacher. Since then, I have taught early childhood grades from preschool through first grade and absolutely love it.

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Wishes for the future of children?

I have many wishes for the futures of children. I wish that children, especially those with disabilities, are viewed and valued as important contributing members of society. All children deserve to live in a physically and environmentally safe world. Children should never worry about a real or perceived threat of violence or injustice to their being or their family members. Lastly, I wish to eradicate childhood poverty. All children deserve to have everything they need physically, socially, and mentally to actualize their whole and happy selves.
 

What do you do when you’re not working? 

I take great joy in traveling this great world of ours by car, train, plane, or ship. I enjoy thrifting at local thrift stores, estate sales, and making crafts with my finds when I'm not traveling.