Background: I originally went to school for social work and have my BSW. I am now going back to school for teaching. I started out as a paraprofessional in 2022 after graduating. Last year, I taught for a full year as a long-term substitute in a Language and Learning Disabilities (LLD) classroom.

Current position: I am currently a long-term substitute teacher for the 9th-12th grade Multiple Disabilities (MD) classroom at Pinelands Regional.

Goals: I would love to learn how to integrate more diverse readings within the classroom, especially in the special education setting.

My name is Francesca - you can call me Frankie! I worked as a paraprofessional during my undergrad studies and earned my degree in psychology. I decided to get my certification to teach special education since that's where my passion truly lies. :)

Currently, I teach self-contained in an ASD program within a public school. I have a mix of grades 4 and 6, with 7 students in total. I also have four paras! Some days it can feel like too many people to manage lol.

My goal for this class is to learn more creative ways to integrate social studies and world culture into my special education classroom!

I look forward to working with you all and wish everyone a wonderful and productive semester!

My name is Randi. I have a masters degree in Forensic psychology, but in 2021 started working as a paraprofessional. After 3 years of working as a paraprofessional, I am now a teacher and work with kids ages 5-9 who all have autism. The school I work at focuses on children and adults with autism. My goal is to learn ways to teach my students about social studies in ways that will keep them interested.

My name is Susan, and I hold a Bachelor's of Science in Nutrition. Last year, I decided to sub and was offered a position with the district. I loved subbing so much that I accepted the position of a fulltime teacher. I currently teach 4th and 5th grade math and science at Barlow Elementary School in Plainfield, NJ.

I enjoy learning both how to intertwine different subjects and how to relate material to the students, their culture, and their families This has much to do with Social Studies.

Here is to an amazing semester!

I currently teach first grade in the Elizabeth Public school system, and I love it! I never thought I would enjoy teaching littles, but I really do!

I hope this course helps me learn how to weave social studies into the curriculum of other subjects. As a self proclaimed history nerd, I believe that social studies and similar subjects are often forgotten or left out of key teaching times so hopefully this class helps me figure out ways to get it in other topics!

I teach first grade in a working-class district in Camden NJ. I teach reading comprehension and writing and sometimes math as well. In this course, I would like to increase my understanding of cultural and social differences among communities and understand ways to incorporate social studies in other fields.

Thanks!

- Jameson

I’m Morgan, and I’m a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) at a school for students with autism. I work mostly with kids who have a lot of aggressive or self-injurious behaviors, which definitely keeps things interesting! Our school’s a bit different since we follow ABA principles in everything we do, so it’s not your typical general education setup.

I work with students aged 11-14, but what they’re learning varies a lot. Some are working on reading and comprehension, while others, especially the non-verbal ones, are focused more on vocational skills. Each kid has their own individualized goals and plans, which keeps things super personalized. For example, I have two students learning to fold laundry, but we’re teaching each of them in totally different ways. As a “lead teacher” (though my official title is BCBA or Trainer of ABA), I guide the paraprofessionals who work one-on-one with the students and help with behavior intervention.

When it comes to social studies, I’m really excited to figure out how to make it work for my unique students. Social studies can be taught in so many different ways, and I’m hoping to learn new strategies to help my kids engage with and understand the world around them.

If you’ve got any questions about my school or what I do, feel free to ask!

I got my substitute certification and began to work as a Middle School Science teacher, mostly remote. I am still currently a Middle School Science teacher but in a different school with a Provisional License. I am taking part in the New Pathway program to convert to my standard license.

My classroom integrates technology through Mosa Mack, a program that follows the New Generation Science Standards, hands on learning and social emotional learning. Being a Title 1 school resources are limited requiring some creativity to complete experiments for students to grasp Science concepts in a fun way. This year I also have the added challenge of my homeroom being an inclusion class that requires varied modifications and accomodations for students to achieve their academic goals.

In my 6th-grade science classroom, I hope this course can help me create more culturally relevant and engaging lessons. I can connect scientific concepts to different cultures by exploring how various societies understand and apply science, such as indigenous ecological knowledge or historical contributions to astronomy and medicine. Incorporating storytelling and literature can make complex ideas more relatable, and cross-disciplinary projects can help students see the connections between science and the world around them. By bringing in global perspectives and encouraging collaborative, inquiry-based learning, I can foster a more inclusive and meaningful learning experience that resonates with my students' diverse backgrounds and interests.

This is my 2nd year teaching, I taught 2nd last year and this year I am teaching third. I also coach the Middle School Field Hockey Team as well. I truly enjoy teaching elementary school students and coaching middle schoolers.

I am looking forward to learning about all of you and for all of the knowledge we will gain this semester!

I work with adults with autism (18-21) and I would not change it for the world. The school I am in works with ABA therapy and it changes their lives for the better. I am currently the teacher of the classroom since the beginning of the school year. I am in charge of 4 learners and 3 other paraprofessionals in the classroom. We work collaboratively to ensure that our students are meeting goals and objectives in their IEPs. I have also been with my school now for 6 years.

A goal of mine is to enhance my knowledge of social studies to help my learners grow. I also would like to know more information to keep some of my more advanced learners engaged during a teaching lesson.

I look forward to connecting with you all and having a great semester!

My name is Ashley Addison and I am currently a Language Learning Disabilities (LLD) teacher for grades K-2 in the Livingston School System. This is currently my 5th year teaching in this setting. I work with children with various disabilities while teaching each subject from ELA and Math to Social Studies and Science. When you can't find me in the classroom, you will find me on the basketball court as I coach the high school girls basketball team. Before entering the education world, I received bachelors and masters in Criminal Justice at Molloy University in Long Island. I decided to go Alternate Route because of my love for children and it has been a great fit so far. I look forward to learning different aspects of culture within my lesson plans! I also look forward to working with all of you.

-Ashley

My name is Terence Fritzky and this is my 2nd Semester at NJCU. Not unlike some of you I fell into teaching later in the game.

Teaching was a profession that I had long avoided. Yet, now I find myself in thick of the profession and have truly never felt more fulfilled. I have always been someone who wanted to procure a benevolent change for others. However foolish it may have been, in an effort to bring more goodness into the world I decided to attend University to receive a degree in Political Science. Receiving such a degree was something I believed would provide me with the best avenue forward. I ended up receiving my Bachelors at Seton Hall University. And after much pushing from some of those who know me best I finally decided to roll the dice and apply to an open position at the Calais School in NJ.

It’s a non profit state funded private special education school that caters to students with disabilities and ptsd from severe bullying, as well as, students with spectrum and behavioral disorders. It is the epitome of work worth doing. And as someone who was searching and desperate to do good work, I have definitely found just the place. It’s truly  a rare thing, when it is your work that gets you through your week, and that is what the Calais family has given me. For me there is no greater place to be. 

 As of now I have my Certification of eligibility in k-6 and as  continue to work through the NJPT alternate program at NJCU, I am also simultaneously working towards my TOSD. I currently work as one of the schools transition teachers, as well as history.

As I alluded to before, my journey to begin the process of becoming a state certified teacher starts and ends with my desire to give back to others. Despite my stumbling upon teaching later in the game than many, I am truly grateful I have. As I continue through the studies of this course, I hope to learn ways to better incorporate my student's cultural background into my lesson plans.

My name is Michael Dec. I am a Kindergarten-First grade Autism teacher for Elizabeth Public Schools. I have officially completed my first full year as a teacher, being that I started last January. I currently work with my students focusing on their IEP goals and objects. Our district has a very detailed system for the Autism classes and I follow the system to have my students work to meet their goals and learning needs. The system that I use is VBMAPP. I look forward to this class, because I want to be able to apply what I learn about human cultures and histories in order to reshape my thinking and the thinking my parents might have related to their children's needs and my part in supporting them.

-Wyatt

My students call me Mr. Will but Will is okay. I have been in the field of ABA for the past 8 years in both public and private settings. I began my journey as a substitute teacher, then a paraprofessional, and now head classroom teacher. I am currently a K-2 ABA Teacher in the town of West New York, NJ. My role as an ABA teacher is to educate my students on either life skills from washing their hands, to understanding how to count up to 100. I hope to gain insights on the realm of special education and/or education itself from this course. I feel there is so much to learn in the field of education, and there are so many perspectives and possibilities with education.

I hope to progress in my goals I have set for myself by learning as much as possible from this class and apply it daily to my lesson plans and classroom fun! Good luck to everyone !