Tag Archives: Special Education Teachers

Shanti’ Coaston named a Ohio state finalist for a prestigious 2023 PAEMST honors

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Computer science educator Shanti’ Coaston of Westlake, Ohio, has been named a state finalist for a prestigious 2023 PAEMST award. Photo credit: The Villager

It is always my pleasure to recognize outstanding teachers who have earned accolades for their work in the profession. Today I shine a spotlight on high school school teacher Shanti’ Coaston of Ohio. She has been named a state finalist for a prestigious 2023 PAEMST (Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching).

The PAEMST honors the dedication, hard work, and importance that America’s teachers play in supporting learners who will become future STEM professionals, including computer technologists, climate scientists, mathematicians, inventors, space explorers, and engineers. The PAEMST program, founded in 1983, is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The honor comes with a visit to the White House and a $10,000 cash prize.

Shanti’ inaugurated her career as an educator when she accepted a position as an intervention specialist in an alternative education program at Shaw High School in East Cleveland. After seven years working with young people as a school-based therapist and a youth career coach, she went into the classroom and taught Special Education. Then she decided that she could do more for her students as a computer science teacher. “I saw it as a way for kids to have a better life, just embracing technology,” Shanti’ explained. This year, she accepted a position as a computer science teacher at Westlake High School in Westlake, Ohio.

This outstanding educator has introduced her students to careers in the computer science and technology fields. She ensures her students are exposed to college tours, career fairs, and computer science competitions. She believes that every student, especially girls and students with disabilities, deserve to learn computer science. Through this dedication, she was chosen as a member of the inaugural class of CS Equity Fellows for 2019-2020 by the Computer Science Teachers Association, and she serves on the advisory board for Computer Science Honor Society.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Shanti’ provides professional development presentations at the local, district, and state level on how to integrate technology into the curriculum. She also places special focus on the recruitment of girls and students of color into computer science courses.

Shanti’s selection for a PAEMST is not he only recognition she has earned. She also garnered a 2023 Computer Science Teaching Excellence Award. And she was a nominee for Ohio State Teacher of the Year.

Shanti’ earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in 1999, and a second Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Salisbury University in 1999. She has also earned a Master’s degree in Social Science Administration from Case Western Reserve University in 2000. She completed the requirements for her teacher certificate as a Mild/Moderate Intervention Specialist from Notre Dame College of Ohio in 2011.

Wyoming’s Jessica Carswell garners 2023 Outstanding Sp Ed Teacher Award

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Elementary teacher Jessica Carswell of Wyoming has garnered a 2023 Outstanding Special Education Teacher Award from the NASET. Photo credit: Jessica Carswell

Congratulations are due to Jessica Carswell, an elementary school teacher from Thermopolis, Wyoming. She has garnered a 2023 Outstanding Special Education Teacher Award from the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET).

Jessica earned her Bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Early Childhood Education from the University of Wyoming. She earned her Master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Denver.

After earning her degrees, Jessica inaugurated teaching career in 2007. She has been teaching in inclusive Special education classrooms since 2010. Currently she teaches Kindergarten through second grade Special Education at Ralph Witters Elementary School, the school she attended when she was a child.

NASET is dedicated to ensuring that all children and adolescents with special needs receive the best education possible. NASET serves the professional interest of special education teachers in order to promote the highest professional standards. The organization is committed to standards of excellence and innovation in educational research, practice, and policy, and is dedicated to rendering support and assistance to those preparing for or teaching in the field of Special Education. To learn more about the organization, click on this link to their website: NASET.

 

Whitney Reardon garns 2023 Humanities Texas Outstanding Teacher Award

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Deaf education teacher Whitney Reardon has garnered a 2023 Humanities Texas Outstanding Teacher Award. Photo credit: Whitney Reardon

Our nation’s students are fortunate to have dedicated teachers working diligently to improve their progress in school. One of these is Whitney Reardon, a special education teacher from Longview, Texas. She has garnered a 2023 Humanities Texas Outstanding Teacher Award.

Whitney teaches deaf education to first through fifth graders at Johnson-McQueen Elementary School, a Regional School for the Deaf located in Longview, East Texas. She has worked there for 16 years.

Whitney’s contributions to the school are second to none, according to Principal Christie Scott. “She not only knows our students’ language deficits, but she is also constantly striving to give students opportunities to build language skills through hands-on engaging activities,” the principal asserts. “When students were learning about civilizations in other countries in regards to housing, Ms. Reardon took students through an entire unit of study by transforming the classroom and creating a transdisciplinary curriculum for students to learn and grow,” Scott continues.

In addition, Whitney organized a Deaf History Month celebration. Deaf History Month is celebrated March 15 through April 15 each year to raise awareness about deaf history and American deaf culture. “So every Monday, the whole school learns about someone who was important in deaf history, and every day, one of our kiddos teaches the school to sign,” Whitney explains. “All of the deaf history month events have made an impact on students—deaf and non-deaf,” she declares. “It’s helped them learn how to be partners together and more inclusive, and it’s just been really good to make the whole group learn about it,” she concludes.

Whitney earned her Bachelor’s degree in Deaf Education from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2007. She earned her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Lamar University in 2015.

Humanities Texas presents annual statewide awards to encourage excellence in teaching and recognize classroom teachers who have made exemplary contributions in teaching, curriculum development, and extracurricular programming. This year, over 600 teachers from all over the state were nominated for this prestigious award, and only 15 were selected as winners. Each winning teacher will receive $5,000 for personal use and an additional $1,000 will go to their school to buy instructional materials related to the humanities.

Former Special Ed teacher, curriculum consultant, and author Janet Hale

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Former Special Education teacher Janet Hale now works as a consultant in curriculum design. Photo credit: Documenting Learning

Many excellent classroom teachers go on to become successful educational consultants. One of these is Janet Hale, a former special education teacher who earns a living   as a curriculum consultant and author.

In her current work, Janet specializes in curriculum mapping; standards literacy and alignment; and documenting learning to assist schools, districts, higher-ed programs, and educational organizations with their curriculum, instruction, and assessment needs and improvement plans. In addition, Janet has written professional books  that focus on curriculum mapping, upgrading units of study, and documenting learning.

This accomplished educator earned her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. She earned her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Curriculum Development from the same university.

Janet inaugurated her career as an educator at Sunnyside High School in Tucson, Arizona. She has taught students at several grade levels, which she asserts worked to her advantage. “Being the ‘last hired’ caused me to teach in a variety of grade levels and schools during my first few years, which proved invaluable because it caused me to learn how to adapt quickly to a new environment,” she says. “Likewise, changing grade levels from high school to middle grades to the first grade provided me with a unique insight into the need for a systemic mindset when considering students’ learning experiences during his or her academic years, which is a passion of mine to this day,” she explains.

Janet has published three books for professional educators: A Guide to Curriculum Mapping: Planning, Implementing, and Sustaining the Process (Corwin Press); An Educational Leader’s Guide to Curriculum Mapping: Creating and Sustaining Collaborative Cultures (Corwin Press); and Upgrade Your Curriculum: Practical Ways to Transform Units and Engage Students (ASCD).

To learn more about Janet Hale, click on this link to her website Curriculum Decisions.

 

Sarah Morgan earns 2023 Golden Apple Teacher of Distinction Award

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Special Education teacher Sarah Morgan of Pulaski, Wisconsin, has earned a 2023 Golden Apple Teacher of Distinction Award. Photo credit: Pulasii Community Middle School

It takes a very special person to be a Special Education teacher. One of these is Sarah Morgan, who teaches at Pulaski Community Middle School in Pulaski, Wisconsin. She is so masterly at her work, she is a recipient of a 2023 Golden Apple Teacher of Distinction Award!

The Golden Apple program annually recognizes high-quality educators in Greater Green Bay. This year, eight recipients, including Sarah, were selected for their excellence in innovation, professionalism, and leadership.

Sarah certainly meets the criteria for her award. In her classroom, she utilizes functional life skills activities with sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students that have been diagnosed with intellectual disabilities and autism. To do this, she incorporates high expectations to ensure students are successful and behavior modification techniques to decrease less desirable behaviors.

One of Sarah’s classroom projects involves operating the Red Raider Restaurant one day each month at her school. Under her leadership, the students plan, cook, serve, and deliver lunch to students and staff. The objective of the program is to create pre-vocational skills that will ultimately lead to future employment opportunities. “Our overarching goal for students with disabilities is to become as independent as possible past their post-high school life,” Sarah explains, “so we want to start those experiences early and often so they can find success and find things that they enjoy and things that they’re good at,” she continues.

In addition to her work with students, Sarah serves as a Program Support Teacher for Cognitive/Intellectual Disabilities at the Wisconsin Department Instruction, where she represents the Pulaski Community School District. She is also a trainer of teachers for the Common Core Essential Elements.

Sarah’s Golden Apple Award, bestowed by the Greater Green Bay Chapter, is not the only recognition she has earned. She garnered the N2Y Kids at the Heart Award in 2014, and the Wisconsin Council for Exceptional Children Excellence named her their Beginning Teacher of the Year in September of 2000.

Sarah earned her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire. She earned her Master’s degree in School Counseling from Lakeland College. Her career as an educator spans 24 years.