Special Needs Do Not Define Them: Embracing Neurodiversity

Image by Freepik   Special Needs Do Not Define Them: Embracing Neurodiversity         Meet an extraordinary young lady. Today she is in college as a hard-working, successful education major. She was not in my class, but when she was in middle school, I remember that she had such a heart of gold and…...

Dance of Joy: Celebrating the Rhythm of a Special Soul

Image by kjpargeter on Freepik      Do you ever have a song that is played and you instantly think of a person?  One song for me is "Happy" by Pharrell Williams. I downloaded this song to play in my classroom when I had this boy as a student and needed a reward for completing…...

Transcending Labels: A Family’s Story of Love, Strength and Empowerment with Down Syndrome

  Image by lifeforstock on Freepik       Today I would like to shine a spotlight on this whole family unit. There is a dad, a mom, and a girl with Down Syndrome in this family. This girl is a former student, and I remember our challenges together as she navigated middle school. I…...

Sparkling Words: Unveiling the Enchanting Realm of a Girl’s Creative Mind

Image by Freepik Sparkling Words: Unveiling the Enchanting Realm of a Girl's Creative Mind        This girl is a former student, and I  always enjoyed reading books with her. She had a great imagination and loved to read about flawed characters. She had mature and thoughtful insights, and it was a joy to…...

Inquisitive Soul, Remarkable Memory: Embracing Special Gifts

Image by Freepik Inquisitive Soul, Remarkable Memory: Embracing Special Gifts       This week I would like to celebrate the inquisitive spirit and remarkable memory of a woman with special needs. I came to know her as an adult, so I never had the privilege to be her teacher. How would you like to…...

The Calendar Maestro: Embracing a Young Man Whose Skills Shine Bright

    Image by Freepik The Calendar Maestro: Embracing a Young Man Whose Skills Shine Bright      Meet the calendar maestro - a former student I recently saw at my book signing event. He possesses an extraordinary ability to recall calendar events with impeccable precision. I haven't seen him since I retired, and I…...

Hopeful Hearts: Nurturing the Caregiver’s Soul Through Life’s Ups and Downs

    Hopeful Hearts: Nurturing the Caregiver's Soul Through Life's Ups and Downs      Today I am bringing you something different on my blog. I wanted to take a break from the parent posts and give everyone a gift of a wonderful resource. His name is Peter Rosenberger, and my friend Kathy Harris asked…...

Lights, Camera, Memory: Embracing Neurodiversity in Education

Image by Freepik Lights, Camera, Memory: Embracing Neurodiversity in Education      Meet a remarkable young man who can astound you with his knowledge of certain animated movies. I hesitate to mention them because of copyright law but think of some of the most successful movies for children, and he knows when they came out,…...

Beyond Graduation: Spotlight on Excellence

    Original artwork by Maddie Schultz   Beyond Graduation: Spotlight on Excellence         Meet this pleasant young man who was recently named "Employee of the Month" in one of his two jobs. He is a hard worker, and when you come to the cafe where he works, he greets you as…...

Silent Brilliance: A Journey of Love

    Silent Brilliance: A Journey of Love      Meet this beautiful girl who is continuing to teach us all about love, joy, and inclusion. She is 14 years old and lives in Iowa. She is non-verbal yet says so much with her eyes and body language. Because she is the granddaughter of my…...

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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