Blog Post #2 - What Can We Do to Promote the Social Integration of Students with ELN? - DrMKDove

Blog Post #2:  What Can We Do to Promote the Social Integration of Students with ELN?

Research has consistently indicated that most parents, of students with exceptional learning needs (ELN), regard social integration as a primary goal for their children.  However, parents indicate that they do not feel that schools necessarily agree; and, that their children do not have the same opportunities as those provided for nondisabled students.  Studies continue to reveal that children with disabilities experience feelings of isolation; and, that they feel badly because they are not chosen as friends as often as other non-disabled children.   What can we do to promote the acceptance and social integration of children with disabilities in our schools, communities, and our society?

Participate:  SPED 6900 Blog first entry on or before Wednesday, 9/18/13 – 5 P.M. [EST] and make two additional entries to other candidates on or before Friday, 9/20/13 - 5 P.M. [EST].

Make sure for your Module 2 response to the Discussion Board/SPED 6900 Blog that you connect your initial post to course readings, course materials,

and professional and/or field experiences.  Rubric is found within the Content Guide for Module 2; and, also posted on the SPED 6900 Wiki Navigation Bar - Rubrics.  

For blog posts - please note that we are restricted to 4,096 characters for our Blog entries.  For example a Tweet is limited to 140 characters.  An easy way to calculate how many characters/letters you have written for your Blog entry is to go to

http://www.lettercount.com/

and copy and past your Blog entry in their form - and it will automatically calculate how many characters are contained in your Blog response - before you try to copy and past on the SPED 6900 Blog.

Hello, my name is Jim Ihnat

Hello, I am from Boardman  and I am in the Intervention Specialist program.  I work at Comprehensive Children and Family Services as a TSS (Therapeutic Staff Support- wraparound).  I have a client just starting 5th grade whom I have been with since Oct of his 3rd grade year.  I am in the school setting at Farrell Elementary near Sharon PA.  I work on specific behaviors on his behavior plan.  I also had a client in the home setting with Asperger's.  I have never taken an online course, I feel overwhelmed and was not real excited to take the class because I know me, I have to actually be in a classroom with a professor in the room or I will have a very hard time sitting at the computer to do the work.  hence the reason I am completing this blog the night before it is due.

Introduction of Amanda Barbone

Hello Cyber SPED 6900 Classmates! My name is Amanda Barbone, and I am currently working towards my masters in Autism and other related services. I have worked as an inclusion teacher for three years and this coming school year I will be working at Austintown Intermediate School in a self contained ED(emotionally disturbed) classroom through Mahoning County. This is my fourth online class I have taken as I just completed the online highly qualified math and language arts 7-12 course work through Central Education Service Center. I currently live in Ellsworth with my two year old twins and my mom.

Introduction- Christina Neley

Hello classmates!!  I think that I posted incorrectly the first time because I'm new to this..lol!!  Therefore, this is my new introduction:  My name is Christina Neeley, I live with my husband, 16 year old son, 13 year old daughter and 6 month old son in Hubbard. I am in the Intervention Specialist Program Mild/Moderate. Currently I teach in a K-6 self-contained classroom at Summit Academy located within Belmont Pines Hospital. I co-teach with a fantastic teacher that I worked with prior to this position. I modify Language Arts & Social Studies lessons to four different ability levels. This is my first online class.

introduction-Sandra Zeman

Hello!

My name is Sandy Zeman.  I am an intervention specialist tutor for an elementary school in Ashtabula. I have been teaching for 5 years but this is only my second year in special education.  My bachelor's degree is from Lake Erie College in early childhood education.  I received a master's degree of educational administration from Youngstown State in 2011.  I am currently working under a supplemental intervention specialist license and hope to transition into a standard license next year after completing all of the requirements.   I am married and have two daughters that are 7 and 10.  My girls are my world!  I currently live in a small rural township called Plymouth.  It is on the outskirts of Ashtabula.  I am looking forward to this program and have never been enrolled in an online course so I am excited but also a bit nervous!

Introduction - Ray Marks

Hello!  My Name is Ray Marks.  I live in Girard and currently teach Biology and Physics at Cardinal Mooney High School.  I am also Head Coach of the Lacrosse team here.  I am originally from the Youngstown area, but spent a lot of time in Maine and Massachusetts.  I received my undergrad degree in Marine Biology and Environmental Analysis from The University of New England (Maine).  I am currently finishing up my Masters program in C&I, and this is my last semester (hopefully!).  During the summer I took the Introduction to Ed. Research online and had a fine time.

Introduction- Johnathan Bacak

Hello classmates, my name is Johnathan Bacak. I am a native and resident of Niles, Ohio.  I graduated several times from the University of Akron, undergraduate in Sport Studies/Sport Management and a Master's in Athletic Administration and Coaching. I am here at YSU for Special Education Mild to Moderate. Currently I am a substitute teacher in the Niles City Schools and have been for the past two years, and am entering my fourth year in coaching Varsity and Junior High Football at Niles. I have taken a few classes online through the UofA with the use of Springboard. Springboard was easy to navigate and submit work into.

Introduction: Courtney Cruz

Hello, everyone!  My name is Courtney Cruz.  I live in Canfield with my husband and 2 children.  Dominic will be in 2nd grade and Olivia is beginning kindergarten.  Since summer of 2009, I have been taking masters courses in the Early Childhood Education program.  Slowly, but surely I am finishing (only 4 left!).  This is my 3rd course online as I prefer to be in class, however, my schedule has gotten crazy and online now fits best.  I am taking this course to get my certification as an intervention specialist.
I have been privileged to be teaching at The Mollie Kessler School in Youngstown, Ohio, for over the past 5 years.  The school services students grades 1-8 who have learning disabilities and are 1 or more grades behind in more than 1 subject area.  These students come from all over Mahoning County.  My class consists of 12 students in grades 1-3.  I am the primary teacher of all subject areas and have a wonderful aide to work alongside me.

Introduction-Karen Pavlansky

Hello cyber classmates. My name is Karen Pavlansky. I am in the Intervention Mild to Moderate Program. This is my first online class and Blog! I am entering my 5th year of teaching all day kindergarten for the Niles City Schools. I graduated from YSU in 2008 with my early childhood degree. I am excited to be apart of the program and know it will help me with the issues and challenges I am facing in my general ed classroom.

Introduction-Dianne Flak

Hello fellow classmates! My name is Dianne Flak and I am currently enrolled in the Autism and Related Disabilities program. I have a BS in Education from YSU. My teaching background is in elementary education. After having taught in the elementary grades for several years , I realized that I wasn't satisfied and began working in Pennsylvania as a wraparound. I loved the job. the people I worked with and the challenge of mental/behavioral health. In addition I taught grades 5-7 at Potential Development School of Autism and am currently a Job Coach for adults with special needs. This is my first computer and my first online experience. I'm excited about learning but I am totally intimidated with my new computer and figuring out how to complete assignments on it. I'm blessed to have 3 grown children and a very good friend to help me with my technological issues. My professional goal is to obtain my masters degree and work one on one in a research facility.

Hello, my name is Kelly Semple.  I live in Warren, with my husband.  I have worked for the Ohio State Highway Patrol for 29 years, doing various jobs.  I have a Bachelors in Civil Engineering from YSU, never used it.  I have been studying Sign Language for the last two years at Kent Trumbull.  At the end of last until semester I needed to make a decision. I decided Special Education.  I have a true passion for, I believe Special Education (In a roundabout way) is that field.  I have a 45 year old brother, that has Downs and a 17 year old nephew with Autism, my perspective so far has been from the other side of teaching.  I look forward to the challenge, but am very imtimidated by Graduate School.  Hope to see everyone soon!

Introduction: Corey Creamer

Hello class! My name is Corey Creamer, I have lived in the Youngstown area my entire life. I currently hold my Integrated Social Studies license as well as my temporary Special Education license. I am in the Intervention Specialist program, mild-moderate. Although, I teach currently at an online school, this will be my first experience taking an online course. At my current job, I write IEP’s, plan for ETR’s, work on transition programs, evaluate IEP performance goals, and tutor my students on a daily basis. I am looking forward to working with other teaching professionals, and getting to know all of you along the way.

Introduction: Nicole Yozwiak

Hello, my name is Nicole Yozwiak and I am currently living in Canfield, Ohio with my parents. I just recently graduated with my undergraduate degree in speech pathology from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. The graduate program that I am taking at Youngstown State University is a Master in Autism and Related Disabilities. I am also currently working part time at Brookdale Senior Living Center in Youngstown, Ohio as a resident care associate. I have taken some online classes during my undergrad and I did enjoy them. 

Introduction-Danielle Hackett

Hello everyone!  My name is Danielle Hackett.  I live in Masury, Ohio with my husband and our three children.  I hold an Ohio PreK-3 teaching license and a Pennsylvania K-6 teaching license.  I obtained my bachelor's degree in elementary education from Thiel College in 2010 and I have been substitute teaching on and off since then.  I was waiting until our last child started kindergarten, which was last year, to pursue a full-time teaching position and/or start my graduate courses.  So here I am!  I chose to pursue special education because I feel it is an area that I need the most to help me to be the best teacher as possible to all of the students in my classroom.  My degree will be Intervention Specialist Mild-Moderate.  I am very excited to continue my education and am happy to be doing it at YSU.

Introduction- Catherine Valantasis

Hi all! My name is Catherine Valantasis and I currently live in Warren with my parents and my two brothers. I am in the Autism and Related Disabilities program.  I have been an Instruction Specialist at The Rich Center for Autism for about a year and have primarily worked with children of preschool age. I have two co-teachers and there are four children in my classroom altogether. Out of those four children, two of them are my attachments. I am responsible for conducting two Discrete Trial Training sessions for each child throughout the day, as well as developing lesson plans and assisting my co-teachers during structured and unstructured group activities. This is my first experience taking an online course and, I have to admit, I am a little nervous. I look forward to working with and getting to know all of you throughout the semester!

Introduction Kelley Bujdos

Greeting from Nashville, Tennessee!  I am Kelley Bujdos and have been in education for the past 15 years.  I am originally from the Cleveland area and just relocated with my family to Nashville for my husband's job.  I am a transient student from Baldwin Wallace University taking my final course in their on-line Mild Moderate Endorsement program.   For the past 12 years, I have worked for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and prior to that in the private school sector.  I have experience in the on-line graduate format but have always taken the courses in 6 to 8 week semesters so this is my first full semester on-line course.  The first on-line graduate program that I completed was through John Carroll University as a Literacy Specialist.  I worked in that capacity in Cleveland at the high school level for 6 years.  Once my paperwork and license transfer has been completed in Tennessee I will be working part-time at a high school as a Literacy Specialist.  As a Literacy Specialist, I have a number of responsibilities from coaching teachers, assessing students, designing interventions, evaluating best practices, and helping to gather and analyze data to make informed data driven instructional decisions.  I look forward to working through this course as I explore the many differences between the public education system in Ohio and the state of Tennessee.

Blog Post #1 - Introduce Yourself! - DrMKDove

Blog Post #1 - Introduce Yourself! - DrMKDove

In the field Post [Post Title] - type Introduction - and your first and last name.

Then, compose your introduction.  Components should include: where you are from; identify your graduate program area; state your present position and briefly describe your professional work/responsibilities; and, please share if you have previously taken an online undergraduate/graduate course and/or online training.

Thank you in advance for posting your introduction!  Candidates must make their initial blog post on or before Wednesday, August 28, 2013 (5 PM) followed by two more additional entries to other candidates' introductory posts by Friday, August 30, 2013 (5 PM).

This initial Blog Post #1 should be fairly short.
For future blog posts - please note that we are restricted to 4,096 characters for our Blog entries.  For example a Tweet is limited to 140 characters.  An easy way to calculate how many characters/letters you have written for your Blog entry is to go to
http://www.lettercount.com/
and copy and past your Blog entry in their form - and it will automatically calculate how many characters are contained in your Blog response - before you try to copy and past on the SPED 6900 Blog.

Lastly, if you have any questions about SPED 6900 - please send me an email [DrMKDove@gmail.com].  I welcome candidates' questions.