You are Braver than You Believe and Stronger than You Think
I think it is important to make connections and look for ways to help other people. Being a helper is how I am wired, and creating these blog posts that were interviews with parents of kids with special needs is my way to give people a sense of community, and understanding and maybe…...
5 Things Parents Wish Teachers Knew
5 Things Parents Wish Teachers Knew When I would meet parents, I would…...
5 Ways to Help Kids Have a Sense of Belonging in School
The Importance of Belonging to a Larger Community Finding ways to help kids feel like they are part of a larger community is essential. For me, that meant providing my support for our spirit days. Whether the theme was “The 70s”, holidays, or a Hawaiian theme, I would always dress up in the spirit of…...
The Book Cover
This shed was the inspiration for my book cover. I looked at thousands and thousands of stock images and ruled them out. The ones that had pictures of kids with disabilities did not fully represent my students. Where was the one with a child in a wheelchair, a blind child, or the child…...
You have to have thick skin
When I started teaching, my dad told me I had to have thick skin. This became my mantra when I started dealing with ideas that did not align with mine. I learned that we could grow and learn from different points of view, but when someone attacked my teaching, I took it personally. In the…...
Parents are the real heroes
I may have taught special education for many years, but I know that parents of kids with special needs are the real heroes. You are the adults who have been there since the birth of your child and know your child’s physical, social, developmental, and family history. You are the ones who know your child’s…...
A sneak peek at my book
Each student encounter taught a valuable lesson throughout my 42 years of teaching. An authentic voice is given to each student’s story, and the reader can glimpse that student’s struggles, triumphs, and educational journey while in my classroom. Throughout my career, I discovered new ways to reach students that were certainly not in the lessons…...
Why did I want to do this?
I wrote a book called, “You Can’t Make This Stuff Up - Life Lessons from Special Kids.” I want this site to be a place where people can purchase my book and find new ideas, support and encouragement. I started teaching when Public Law 94-142 was born in the ’70s. It later became the now…...
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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