# data[].attributes.body
Hi everyone! My name is Samantha. I am currently in my fourth year, first year as a head teacher, working at the NYC Autism Charter School-Bronx. NYCACS is a public charter school dedicated to providing a high-quality education to students with moderate-to-severe autism. Our curriculum is rooted in the evidence-based approach of Applied Behavior Analysis. We are primarily in a 1:1 teacher/student ratio, providing individualized instruction based upon students’ needs and strengths. We serve students ages 5 – 21 years-old, and have expanded our efforts to two locations: one in East Harlem and one in South Bronx. I graduated from Drew University with my BA in Neuroscience and after graduation, began working at a cognitive brain training center. It was at this site that I began working with individuals with special needs; specifically, an eight-year-old boy with autism. It was through my work with him that I then explored teaching opportunities in a school servicing children with special needs. Soon after starting at NYCACS, I began the Dual Certification, Childhood Special Education Grades 1-6: Behavior Disorders Master’s program at Hunter.

# data[].attributes.body
I have always loved math! I enjoy the problem-solving and various ways of arriving at the same answer. I am excited to learn strategies and approaches to teaching math to students with special needs, modeling a flexible mindset, and setting students up for mathematical thinking.

# data[].attributes.body
Entering my first year as a head teacher and teaching some more of the sophisticated learners at my school, my goal this year is to best prep my students for any and all kinds of inclusion opportunities they may have throughout the year. I think some, if not all, of my students are capable of transitioning out of my school and so my goal is to be as knowledgeable as possible to teach them the things that will make them successful and independent in a less restrictive environment.

# data[].attributes.body
It was nice seeing in class last week. I think you have found your niche in the wonderful world of education. I enjoyed watching you work with the children last year in person and look forward to observing again in the NYCACS if there is an opening this semester. Keep up the great work and please keep me posted.

# data[].attributes.body
I have loved baseball for as long as I can remember! I have always wanted to travel to every Major League baseball stadium in the country. I am only a 6th of the way through the list of 30 stadiums but it is definitely a bucket list item for me! As for a professional goal, after deciding that teaching was the career path I wanted to take, my goal then became to find placement in Staten Island at a District 75 school once I complete my master’s.

# data[].attributes.body
I enjoy traveling, cooking, playing volleyball, and attending country music concerts. When I get the chance, I really love to fish and be outdoors, but equally enjoy catching up on reality TV shows on a rainy day!