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.