Introduction

Hello everyone! My name is Agostino Ragozzino, I am a father of two children, Alyssa, 15 and Dominic, 12, I would also be amiss if I didn't mention my mini dachsund, Sophie who is 5. All of my "extra" time is spent taking care of these loves of my life. When I am not running them to football, basketball, baseball or many other Middle and High School activities, I enjoy reading, watching my Notre Dame Fighting Irish and spending time with friends.  I am currently working as a substitute teacher in Hubbard, Niles, and at TCTC, I also work part-time as a server at the BWW in Niles, Ohio.  I am in the process of starting a new career, this program and especially this class is the first step. I spent the majority of my career in the banking industry where I spent approximately 15 years as a branch manager for 3 different banks. I have a wonderful support system with my kids, my family, and my close friends. I look forward to learning and growing with each and every one you. That's me in a nutshell.  Thanks for reading!

Introduction - Kristin Morgione

Hello! My name is Kristin Morgione.  I am an Intervention Specialist at Canfield Village Middle School for students with mild to moderate disabilities,  This position provides me with experiences in the 6th grade general education classrooms with co-teaching in English language arts and science/social studies, implementation of LLI (Leveled Literacy Intervention), and guided reading.  I received my undergraduate degree from Ohio University in 1995 in mild to moderate (previously known as specific learning disabilities and developmentally handicapped).  I have worked for Canfield Local Schools my whole career with some additional part time jobs while on maternity leave - gifted assessment coordinator, ELL (English language learner) tutor, and home school instruction. I am married with 3 children of ages 14, 12, and 9. I am pursuing my masters in special education in the area of students with moderate to intense disabilities.

Introduction: Jessica Tomic

Hi everyone! My name is Jessica Tomic and I am from Austintown, Ohio. I received my undergraduate degree in Middle Childhood Education (Language Arts/Social Studies) from YSU in 2012. Currently, I am enrolled in the Intervention Specialist: Mild to Moderate program. For four years, I've working at Austintown Middle School part-time in a computer lab as an online academic tutor, working with students who are enrolled in an alternative, web-bases learning option. Although I am not the teacher of record, I am responsible for communicating daily and weekly progress and goals among teachers, tutors, parents, case workers and liaisons. In addition to my school position, I've also been employee at Giant Eagle for the past 11 years, where I work in customer service. Throughout my undergraduate years, I took 2 online courses and since graduation both of my positions have exposed me to various online training.

Introduction: Bethany Quetot

Hello Everyone!
My name is Bethany Quetot. I am married with two kids, Aubrie and Levi. I am from Columbiana, Ohio and received my undergrad degree from Youngstown State University in 2010. I am pursuing the mild to moderate program. I have taken several online courses in the past, all on different online platforms. I currently work as a resource teacher for Buckeye Online School for Success (BOSS), which is a K-12 online school. I enjoy my job, along with the virtual learning environment that giving students the opportunity to learn from home.  Many students that I have spoken with have had a negative experience at their previous brick and mortar school, so I enjoy knowing that BOSS gives kids the opportunity to learn somewhere they feel safe. As a resource teacher, I am responsible to assist special education students during the virtual class and change assignments in accordance with their IEPs.

Introduction: Jennifer Cika

Hi everyone. My name is Jennifer Cika ( Jenn) and I am form Youngstown. Ohio. I am currently taking classes in the graduate program to add on to my teaching license for Autism and related disabilities. I graduated from YSU in the spring of 2015 with a Bachelor degree as an Intervention Specialist (Mild/Moderate). I currently work at Summit Academy Elementary School as an Intervention Specialist in the cross-categorical room (2nd & 3rd grade). It is a challenging classroom and it is a lot of work, but a rewarding experience when my students finally get something for the first time. It is also nice that the staff at my school are more like family and it gives the students a family like atmosphere. I have taken online classes before this one and feel that there are pros and cons to both campus classes as well as online, but I still haven't decided what I like better as of yet.

Introduction: Gia Prezioso

Hello everyone! My name is Gia Prezioso and I am from Sharpsville, Pennsylvania. I am currently enrolled in the Intervention specialist Mild/Moderste program. I graduated from Westminster College in 2014 with an English and Secondary Education degree. I am entering my third year at Weathersfield Local Schools (Mineral Ridge Middle School) as a 7th grade Language Arts teacher. In addition to my classroom duties, I coach 7th and 8th grade volleyball and 7th and 8th grade track at the school as well. This will be my first year as a graduate student as well as my first online course. I look forward to getting to know everyone and learn more about special education throughout the semester.

Introduction: Debbie Berni

Hi everyone,

My formal name is Deborah, but I prefer to be called Debbie.  I live in Austintown, Ohio.  My graduate program area is special education, mild/moderate.  I currently teach eighth grade math at Austintown Middle School, and I am beginning my fourth year there.  This year I will be teaching three general math classes and one honors algebra class.  During my first three years at AMS, I had classes that included special education students with a co-teach model.
My special education students have ranged from students with IEP's for speech to students with varying degrees of autism.  This is my first online graduate class.  I graduated from YSU in June of 1991 with a degree in secondary math education.  Since this was before the internet, I did not have any online undergraduate classes either.  
On to more personal information,  my husband and I have four children.  Our oldest daughter is beginning her junior year at YSU.  She is studying special education, too.  We also have a daughter that is a junior in high school, a daughter in eighth grade, and a son in sixth grade.  I enjoy keeping up with all of their activities.  
I am looking forward to getting to know all of my fellow classmates, too. 

Introduction: Ralph Rich

Ralph RichAugust 22, 2016 at 11:41 AM

Introduction - Ralph Rich

Hi all,
Ralph Rich here. I am a resident of Hubbard, OH and am enrolled in the Intervention Specialist: Mild/Moderate program. I have a Bachelor's in English Literature with a Minor in Music Production from YSU in 2012. I find myself back at YSU after working for The Purple Cat (A program for adults with disabilities). I enjoyed the work I was doing and wanted to pursue it even further!
- Ralph Rich

Introduction: Richard Wilkins

Richie WilkinsAugust 22, 2016 at 11:27 AM

Greetings All! My name is Richard Wilkins and I am pursing Graduate Studies in the field of Special Education, placing an emphasis on those with mild-moderate needs. As a current resident of Niles, Ohio, I am employed as substitute teacher throughout various school districts including Niles, Howland, Brookfield, Champion, and Lordstown. There, I oversee and execute the assigned course-of-study while cultivating a conducive educational environment. Though this is not my first online course, I do possess the same enthusiasm as if it were. I look forward to the following semester and mutual academic enrichment.

Introduction: Danielle Leigh

Hello,

My name is Danielle Leigh, I live in Hubbard, Ohio. I graduated from Capital University in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and special education, and a minor in reading. I recently graduated in the spring from Youngstown State with my masters degree in Educational Administration. I am currently working on my principal’s license and administration specialist license to become a special education supervisor. I taught in Warren City Schools for six years as an intervention specialist in a co-teaching setting in grades four and five. I am currently starting my second year at Hubbard Middle School as an intervention specialist in a resource room with students in grades 5-8 who have a variety of disabilities, which include emotional disturbed, intellectually disabled, autism, and learning disabilities. Some of my responsibilities include developing and implementing Individualized Education Programs and behavior plans, complementary to the students’ educational strengths and needs, differentiating and adapting curriculum materials for students based on their readiness, interests, and learning needs, and collaborating with general education teachers and administration to provide appropriate services for all students. I have taken online courses to get highly qualified and a I have taken a couple online courses through Blackboard for my masters. I am looking forward to gaining more knowledge about special education in this class.

On a personal note, I am married to my wonderful husband Greg and we just had our first beautiful baby on June 29. Her name is Lucia (loo-chee-ah), she is two months old and we are all adjusting to life together. J

Introduction: Alexa Kamovitch

Hello!

I am Alexa Kamovitch and I am from Howland, Ohio. During these next few semesters, I will be participating in the Intervention Specialist- Mild/ Moderate graduate program . I recently accepted a full-time position as a Kindergarten to third grade Intervention Specialist at Weathersfield Local School District. My professional responsibilities will include providing the developmentally appropriate accommodations and modifications to meet my students needs. I will be working with students who have many different disabilities including Autism, ADHD, and Learning Disabilities. I will also be in charge of my students' IEPS and working with them to meet their individual goals. SPED 6900 is my first graduate and online course, however; I am well-versed with technology. Working with students who have special needs is a brand new experience for me and I am very eager to get started and expand my knowledge in the field of Special Education!

Introduction--Kristin DelMonaco

Hello everyone! My name is Kristin DelMonaco and I am a resident of Hermitage, PA. The graduate program I am studying is the Intervention Specialist: Mild/Moderate. I attended Slippery Rock University, where I earned my Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education K-6. Currently I work at The Rich Center for Autism, located at YSU. I work in the preschool classroom and find it challenging yet rewarding. Our emphasis typically is not centered on academics, instead on IEP goals and the ABLLS curriculum(focus on basic skills). Before working at the center I had no experience working with individuals with special needs and this past year has made me want to expand my knowledge. This is my first online course and I'm looking forward to seeing how it works.

Introduction Jodie Bock

Hello,
My name is Jodie Bock and I am from Winona Ohio.  Winona is in Columbiana County just south of Salem, I also have two  children  attending YSU this semester.   I work at the Rich Center for Autism located on the YSU campus.  I have worked there for 5 years in the therapy department  as an occupational therapy assistant and transfer out  into the classroom last year and became an Instructional Specialist.  I am enrolled in moderate/intense program with the autism and related disabilities option.  I have taken online courses to meet my CEU requirements to keep up my licences as an OTA.