GRADUATE SHOWCASE
Welcome to my graduate showcase! Here you will find some of the work that I have completed throughout my coursework in the Master of Arts in Education (MAED) program at Michigan State University. Throughout my coursework, I have reviewed theories and research, connected with classmates, colleagues, and families, and practiced incorporating strategies aimed at helping children and youth in a special education setting. In doing so, there are three themes that resonate most in my coursework: consultation and collaboration, inquiry and research, and intervention implementation. I encourage you to view the highlighted work below under each theme to learn more.
CONSULTATION
AND COLLABORATION
Consultation and Student Success
Successful and consistent consultation and collaboration, both with colleagues and caregivers, are two of the key factors to student success. Through consultation, we are able to collaboratively identify, analyze, and come up with at least one strategy that could serve as a solution to the problem, as well as to reflect on the consultation process. Practicing methods of consultation has been incredibly valuable to me, particularly when working with students with disabilities. One such example of a successful consultation was for a student on my caseload who was having a particularly difficult time with transitions. Click below to download and read the full report.
Autism Education Professional Development Project
Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have unique needs that impact both their learning opportunities as well as their educational programming. As education professionals, it is important that we recognize the key features of ASD so that we create programming that best addresses their learning needs. One such way I was able to highlight my work with students with ASD was to create and present an interactive workshop designed to teach others (parents, general education teachers, para-professionals, general education students, etc.) best practices on teaching students with ASD throughout the course of their school years. Click below to download and read the entire presentation.
Collaborative Relationship Building
Managing and maintaining collaborative relationships with colleagues is crucial to our overall success as professionals. However, with so many varying opinions and personalities, sometimes this can be a difficult task. One way I learned to improve my collaborative relationships with colleagues was to collect data on and rate our collaborative interactions. From this data, I then selected one salient interaction rated as ‘dissatisfied’ and reflected on it, considering what aspect of collaboration should be improved. By taking a deep dive into how I can be more mindful of how I contribute to a collaborative relationship, I have been able to take corrective action to improve as a professional. Click below to download and read the full report.
INQUIRY AND RESEARCH
Analysis of Educational Inquiry
As an educator, I have devoted myself to being a lifelong learner. One way in which I can continue to better myself is through the practice of educational research and inquiry. One of the pioneers in the field of educational inquiry is Vivian Paley. Paley is known for being a communication scholar–studying the way young children communicate with other young children through storytelling and fantasy play. Through research on her methods, I was able to analyze and reflect on her particular approach to teacher research and her method of inquiry and how it has impacted the way I teach. Click below to download and read the complete essay.
Autism Research
Throughout my coursework, I had the opportunity to research and analyze many peer-reviewed articles on teaching interventions. One such article that stood out was about interventions or evidence-based practices for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The analysis I provided focused on a research article that described an intervention aimed at improving communication skills of individuals with ASD. Through my analysis of this intervention, I was able to demonstrate how it impacted my knowledge of communication-based interventions, and how application of an intervention of this nature has been applicable to my work in supporting the diverse needs of students with ASD. Click below to download and read my full analysis.
Case Study of School Programming
In order to gain experience in developing and implementing best practices for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the school environment, it was important that I first had an understanding of the referral process according to state guidelines and ASD eligibility criteria. To do this, I spent a semester collaborating with a student with ASD, his parents, and his school team in order to collect data that would be useful in the referral process for special education and related services. Through research, data collection, and analysis of eligibility criteria for ASD based on the Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education (MARSE) criteria, I was able to create a comprehensive case study analysis that will ensure this student gets the educational programming he needs. Click below to download and read my final report.
INTERVENTION IMPLEMENTATION
Reducing Chronic Absenteeism
Recognizing and addressing factors that place students at-risk is a key component of being an effective educator. In my work, I have had the opportunity to advocate for children and youth who are at-risk due to chronic absenteeism. One way I did this was to propose a theory-based intervention program that addresses the developmental needs of these students. I used this opportunity to create a presentation that could be shared with stakeholders in an effort to approve and fund an intervention program aimed at improving academic achievement and school engagement for students who are chronically absent from school. Click below to download and listen to my presentation.
Addressing Behavioral Challenges: An ABC Intervention
Throughout my coursework, I have learned that in order to best meet the needs of all students, effective teachers understand the characteristics that contribute to student success. For students who are considered "tough to teach" this means having a more robust understanding of the factors that contribute to their displays of challenging behavior so that interventions can be implemented that address the behaviors and help these students grow and succeed. I spent a semester focusing on the characteristics of students who demonstrate defiant behaviors in an effort to refine my teaching practice. Throughout this process, I was able to develop and implement interventions that I then applied in my work with a student of mine who exhibits similar behaviors. Click below to download and read the final report of my intervention plan.
Classroom Management Plan
As a teacher of students with diverse needs, it is important that I am continually working to further develop, refine, and improve my classroom management skills. One of the best ways I can do this is to always make sure that I have an effective and carefully crafted classroom management plan. Throughout my coursework, I researched and analyzed several key components of effective classroom management. Using this research, I identified five major elements of teaching interventions that I could use as the foundation of a classroom management plan. It is my hope to incorporate this plan into my practice in order to establish a better sense of community within my classroom. Click below to download and view my classroom management plan.