Supporting the Supporters: Nurturing Those Who Nurture Others

        Image by Freepik Supporting the Supporters: Nurturing Those Who Nurture Others           Caregivers play a crucial role in supporting others but must also care for themselves. Parents of children with special needs are their children's caregivers, and as I have noticed in my blogs, some parents don't…...

Work and Play: A Hub For Advocacy, Connection and Inclusion

      Work and Play: A Hub For Advocacy, Connection, and Inclusion           Last week I did a blog post about a girl in Michigan who has both Down syndrome and autism, and I had the pleasure of talking on the phone with her mom, Misty. This week I wanted…...

Find Your Tribe: A Girl Discovers Her Passion and a Mom Creates the Work and Play Special Needs Resource Center

Image by Freepik Find Your Tribe: A Girl Discovers Her Passion and a Mom Creates the Work and Play Special Needs Resource Center       I am so happy to collaborate with this mom to highlight an awesome girl who found her passion after her mom created the Work and Play Special Needs Resource…...

Inclusive Communities Are Successful Communities: Look At What Cuyahoga and Medina Counties Have To Offer

Image by Freepik   Inclusive Communities are Successful Communities:  Look At What Cuyahoga and Medina Counties Have To Offer       Everyone, regardless of their ability, should have access to and fully participate in a community where they are welcomed, included, and supported. During the Christmas season, I took my daughter and her three children…...

Snack With Purpose: How Snack Boxes Create Meaningful Employment

                                Snack With Purpose: How Snack Boxes Create Meaningful Employment           So many times parents of children with special needs wonder, “What is next?” for their children after they age out of school systems. They want…...

Laugh to Learn: The Role of Humor in Special Education

Laugh to Learn: The Role of Humor in Special Education      After teaching for 42 years, I decided to write my memoir. I had taken notes for years, and the stories started pouring out when I retired. When I was writing, I realized this was more than a memoir, it was the life lessons…...

Crafting Joy: How Dogs, Baseball, Bowling and Laughter Shape Her World

Crafting Joy: How Dogs, Baseball, Bowling and Laughter Shape Her World     This girl is now an adult; even though I know her as someone who attended my school,  she was never in my class. Because I help with Miracle League Baseball every year, I have seen her become a confident and fun young…...

Building Bridges: A Mom’s Mission For Her Son and the Autism Community

Building Bridges: A Mom's Mission for Her Son and the Autism Community       I was so happy to get an interview with this mom. She lives in Michigan and I first spoke to her when I was interviewing her for my "We Rock the Spectrum" blog. I admired her as a mom of…...

Born Too Soon but Seeing Beyond: How a Blind Boy Sees the Heart of the World

Born Too Soon but Seeing Beyond: How a Blind Boy Sees the Heart of the World      Certain students just pull on your heartstrings as a teacher. You can instantly see how sweet and unique they are; this boy was one of those in my class for three years. He was born premature and…...

Special Strong: A Welcoming Adaptive Environment for a More Abundant Life

      Special Strong: A Welcoming Adaptive Environment for a More Abundant Life      Special Strong is one of the country's only fitness centers for people with mental, physical, and cognitive challenges. It specializes in adaptive and inclusive fitness training and began in 2016. The center focuses on the three Cs: Community, Curriculum,…...

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“Deb has always been a champion for her students. She builds long-lasting relationships with her students and their families.  Deb’s classroom over the years focused not only on quality instruction but also on teaching her students social skills and getting her students involved in community service projects.”

– Jim Shields, Human Resources Director of Medina City Schools, Medina, OH