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I am a high school transitions teacher at JFK. i work with students who have behavior plans. My site is all students with special needs from Kinder to 22 years of age. have 5 kids and 3 dogs. I love country music and Disney. Coffee is life!!!!

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Hello!

I am Heidi Rhoan. I am newly married and have three pets. I love Harry Potter, Disney, and reading. I work as an RSP teacher in Stockton. I work with a high-need population. Most of my students have experienced abandonment, homelessness, abuse, and so on. I currently have my first two students who require assistive technology. They need help with typing and being able to see their screens.

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This is my 6th year teaching. I work for SJCOE and I am a mod/sev teacher at Altamont Elementary, grades 4-8. I have worked with many students who use things like PEC boards, communication devices (goTalks), and iPads with a communication ap (gotalk and touch chat). It's been interesting learning how to navigate the apps the most (how to add pages, buttons, etc). Looking forward to learning new ways to help my students :)

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Me, Skylar (Basset Hound), Hazel (Staffy Mix), and my wife

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My name is Marissa Drysdale, I go by Riss. This is my 3rd year teaching for Elk Grove Unified. I teach a Level 4 ASD 3rd & 4th grade classroom (mod/severe population). I started out as an aide, then got into substitute teaching specifically for Special Education, and thanks to the pandemic, I was able to jump into the TCSJ IMPACT program. I like baking, music, traveling, food, and anything Disney. I have 2 students who have an AAC device (TouchChat), and I have other students who use PECS binders to help with communication. I am a fairly techy person, and I am definitely open to anything AT to help support my students.

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Sabrina Bahara        I'm a SPED M/M teacher for 5-6th grade at Patterson Joint USD. This is my 12th year teaching. 2 years in GE and 10 years in SPED. I haven't had a student use an AAC device. I have taught students using Pecs, sign language, and computer software programs to help with speech, but not AAC. 

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Sabrina Bahara        I'm a SPED M/M teacher for 5-6th grade at Patterson Joint USD. This is my 12th year teaching. 2 years in GE and 10 years in SPED. I haven't had a student use an AAC device. I have taught students using Pecs, sign language, and computer software programs to help with speech, but not AAC. 

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I'm a preschool special education mild/moderate teacher for Tracy Unified.  This is my 3rd year teaching and actually my second career. I left a career as an HR professional to return to school and pursue what I had started almost 20 years ago during my undergrad years. Last year I had a student use an AAC device, but I'm not using any high-tech devices this year, only low-tech this year so far. I have been married for 15 years and I have 2 children.

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Hello! My name is Jessica Tober and this is my 3rd year teaching for stockton unified in the Autism program. I currently have K-2nd grade generalized Autism. My goal as their generalized teacher is to hopefully mainstream them and prepare for the students to leave the program completely. Prior to becoming a teacher, I worked as a behavioral therapist and some children did use AAC devices so I would say I am about at a medium experience level with AT. It has been a few years so I am excited for a refresher and more insight.

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Hi! I am a 6th grade Resource teacher at Yolo Middle School in the Newman Crows-Landing USD. I work with mild/mod students. I have limited experience with assistive tech so I am excited to get to learn a little more about that!

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My name is Jennifer Bettencourt, I am currently teaching K/1 Autism Inclusion Transition class for Manteca Unified School District. This class was designed for students with an autism diagnosis who are academically grade level and need supports with self regulation and social skills. The goal is our autism students go full general education by 2nd grade. This is my 11th year in this position and my 17th year teaching. I have multiple subject, Mild/Mod, and Mod/severe credentials. After all this time decided to get my Masters. I am married and have 3 kids ages 22, 19, & 12. I have the best team and love my job.

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Hello, I am a SJCOE Preschool Autism teacher. I teach on a specialized preschool campus in Manteca at McFall School. We serve a mod/severe population of students ages 3-5 years old. I use lots of visuals in my class and work with my students to communicate with the picture exchange communication system while we pair the visual with a verbal statement. We also use Ipads and the Promethean board with our students with touch screen apps such as Boomcards or letter tracing apps. I have limited experiences with AAC devices, when I was an instructional assistant I worked in some classes that utilize switches or a text to speech device. I would like to learn how I can incorporate more assistive technologies into my classroom as we mainly just use the visuals pictures icons, Ipads, and the Promethean board.

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Hi! This is my 6th year teaching. I have taught 1st grade, high and middle school RSP, and currently I'm at Galt Joint Elementary. This is my 3rd year K-6 RSP. I was a para for 16 years working mild/mod to mod./severe(ED) before getting my credential. I have had high school students needing VI support and DHH support. Right now I have 2 students that are selective mute and one needing VI/DHH services and a few with OT services. My experience with AT is limited, but I am looking forward to learning more about how to help my kids!

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I am a 3rd year teacher. I am a teacher in a Autism Special Day Classroom for 3rd-5th grade in Sylvan Union in Modesto. My classroom is located on a regular public school campus. My student have a wide variety of needs from high support to low support. My students have the opportunity to push into general education. I have 2 students in my classroom that utilize high tech AAC devices (IPADs with ProLoQuo) and another student who utilizes a PECS binder to communicate their wants/needs as participate in their instruction. I've used a variety of different AT items from visuals to pencil grips to adapted lined paper. I work very closely with my OT, SLP, and county AT specialist. I look forward to expanding my toolbox and repertoire with AT and AAC.

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. In what capacity do you work in education?
I am an RSP and SDC teacher at Online Academy at Manteca Unified School District.

What population do you work with?
I work with students grades K-8 with mild to moderate disabilities. I have students diagnosed with AUT, SLD, ED, VI, DHH, OHI, and SLI.
What is your experience with Assistive Technologies in Education?
I have limited experience with AT in education. However, last year was my first year having a student who required AT. She has a VI disability and severely limited vision. She has AT services and equipment such as a brailler (both analog and digital) and tactile and auditory materials.

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My husband and I at Yosemite over Spring Break.

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I teach mod/severe special ed out in Amador County. This is my 3rd year teaching. I just finished my credential with TCSJ in June. In my personal life, I have 5 children, most are now adults. I have a 17 year old son with Autism. I am both a special needs mom and a teacher- something which gives me a lot of perspective.
I teach adult transition. I love teaching adults how to adult. Some may never live independently, but they are learning how to do functional life skills independently! I love my students; my class is a fun(ctional) place to learn and grow.
I have worked providing assistance to an EL high school student who has an AAC device. He will graduate into my program June of 2023. I have seen an AAC device but have not had direct experience with them.

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Hello! I am a first year teacher with SJCOE. I teach moderate/severe students in 4-8th grade. I am located on a specialized campus. I have two students with AAC devices while my other students are being introduced to PECs. I work very closely with my SLP and OT who help me by providing the support necessary for my students to access their academics. This includes visuals, slant boards, switches, pencils, raised paper, etc. I am still learning about all of the ways AT can help my students but I have an amazing support team and they show me new AT all of the time.

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Hi! My name is Kaitlin Sanguinetti. I am currently sub teaching for san Joaquin county. I was an instructional assistant for 3 years. I have my bachelors in speech language pathology. I have learned about AAC devices in some of my speech classes and I have worked with kids that use them. But I feel like I still don't know a lot about them.

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I am a moderate/severe teacher for SJCOE at Neil Hafley Elementary School. This is my fifth year teaching here and I was instructional assistant for 5 years as an autism instructional assistant. I have a moderate experience with assistive technology. I have 4 students in my class with AAC devices. I also help the teacher next door with using different assistive technology devices for her students in OHI class. I can't wait to learn more information because I truly find assistive technology fascinating.

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I am a M/S Special Education Teacher at Bear Creek High School with LUSD, this is my third year there. I have moderate experience with assistive technology in education in that I work with two students who have AAC devices, however I am looking forward to learning more about AT and how to support students who have AT!

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My name is Mashari and this is my 5th year teaching mod/severe population at JFK. I started off as a sub, then para, and now teacher. I have been in SPED population for last 10 years. I was a track athlete since I was 12 and ran collegiate at MJC and Stan State. I coached over 10 years track and field with high school students. I have one son that is in college, and he plays basketball. I have some experience with assistive technology devices. I'm always willing to learn more.

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Hello!! This is my fourth year teaching Special Education. I work for Merced County of Education in a moderate/severe K-5 class.

We use Proloquo2go in our classrooms so that's all I really know in regards to AT. I would love to know more about AT and what qualifies a student to become eligible.

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Hello everyone, First I'm a single mommy of 3, 2 with special needs which keep me very busy. This is currently my 5th year teaching. This is my second career before I was a Financial Aid Director with a local college and decided it was time for a change so here I am loving special education. I'm currently in Salida and in charge of a K-3 SDC class the past 2 years I was at the middle school level so elementary is very different. I've had students with many different AAC device types from high technology such as an iPad a Moby to a PECS communication book. I am excited to learn a lot more about the whole AAC concept as I've only seen a few things.

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My name is Carlos Rodríguez.

This is my 5th year teaching Special Education for Merced County and I am in the 2nd year of clearing my Mod/Severe SPED credential.

My current classroom population is mod/severe high school and transition, and the students’ ages range from 14-22.

The extent of my knowledge of AT is Proloquo2go. I have a basic understanding of how to use the app and can rearrange some of the icons within it. I would love to become more familiar with AT so that I can more effectively teach communication strategies to some of my students.

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This is my 5th year teaching students with autism.  This year I have 8, 1st and 2nd graders.  I truly love my job and feel like I could do it forever!

I have had a handful of students with AAC devices over the years, with no two students using the same program, so I've had a wide range of experience but only this year have I gotten more in-depth training on AAC which has been very exciting!  Our district is very focused on getting no tech/low tech AAC supports into every classroom so I've been learning a lot through that.

I know that AT covers more than just AAC, so I'm excited to see what all is out there to support my kids!

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Please tell me a little about the yourself. In what capacity do you work in education? What population do you work with? What is your experience with Assistive Technologies in Education? This can be completed as creative as you would like (Google Slides, Docs, Jamboard, etc.)

My name is Denis Maldonado and I'm an RSP Teacher at the high school level. This is my third year teaching and I really enjoy it!
I do not have experience working with assistive technology but I do have some knowledge about Assistive Technology. I majored in speech pathology and audiology which overviewed AT.

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Kelly DeLong here! I am a K-8th Resource/Ed Specialist. I am on my 3rd year of teaching Resource and LOVE it. This is my second career and I couldn't be happier. I work at Lammersville School District, Questa Elementary, and I adore my students and love my co-workers.

I have two kids of my own, Clayton, 19 year  son who is in his second year at junior college. He is a special education para right now.  Faythe, my 16 year old daughter who is a sophomore living her best life. She is in the Ag program at her school with advanced classes, play club soccer and travels a lot, she plays high school soccer, and is in the Futsol Club and Tracy Bulldog Project at school. My husband is an amazing 3rd grade teacher and Athletic Director for the high school. We are a busy family!

I am getting better in the tech world for education but it is far from my craft!

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Hi there! My name is Monique and I have been teaching special education m/m for 5 years, I worked as a para in a m/s classroom for 14 years and two of my triplets have ASD. That being said I have only worked with one student who used ACC device for speech. I am not too familiar with AT as a whole and looking forward to learning more.

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My experience with AT is limited. I remember taking a course and learning about AT. If I can recall correctly, my students use majority of low to no tech in my classroom!

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I have been a Special Education teacher since 2019 at a high school with a push-in model.  Most of a my students are mild/mod and this year we have welcomed 2 mod/severe students.
My experience with AT is very limited. The information that I have received regarding AT has mostly come from PDs, personal research, and other educators' experiences.

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My name is Jenny Miller (Jacobson). I am a 5th year teacher. I have been working as an SDC Severely Handicapped teacher for grades 2/3 for the past 4 years, however, in a few weeks I will be making a move to Great Valley Academy as their new resource teacher. I am excited to test my capabilities in a mild/mod setting, as I am very used to mod/sev. Most of my students use AAC devices in the form of communication.

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Hi my name is Brooklyn and this is my 4th year teaching. I work for Manteca Unified and teach K-2 SDC M/M. One year I had a student who did use an ACC device but I am not that familiar with assistive technology as a whole.

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Teaching is my second career and I have been loving every minute (usually!). I have been teaching for 3 years and work with SDC students at the high school level. I teach mostly math and science classes.
I have 4 mostly grown kids of my own who are all very involved in either school, sports or music.
My experience with assistive technology is fairly limited. I currently have two students who use Speech to Text features and during Covid shut down I had a legally blind student who used screen reader.

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All about me...

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Mother, Wife, Daughter, and SPED teacher.  I work with elementary kids k-3, and looking for a change to work with older kids.  I had 2 students with AT devices, but they left within 2-4 months of being in my class so I don't have too much practice.