ESO Personal Statement

Special education programs and services are available in many school and are fast growing. In a high school, a principal named Debbie Young has been presented with a situation with the parents of a special education student. Mrs. Young has been a special education teacher and assistant principal in a progressive and affluent school district in the South. Mrs. Young was approached by the parents of Jonathan a severely disabled tenth grader whose parents want him to attend one of the schools in the district. He is profoundly mentally disabled, has spastic quadriplegia, and has a seizure disorder. Mrs. Young refuses his parent’s request because of the huge expenses and the school is not an appropriate place for Jonathan.

I am very excited to be applying to ECU for many reasons. From the pleasant campus atmosphere to the comprehensive majors, I believe I will be greatly benefited by the experience the university offers.

Joni had worked for over 25 years in the local school system as an Educational Tech II, otherwise known as a teacher’s aide. In this capacity, she got to know generations of teachers, students and their families. In addition, working with high needs students with challenging intellectual disabilities, she sought to identify opportunities for her students to gain practical knowledge in local organizations and life skills to ensure their dignity as adults. To create these connections she often interacted with numerous small businesses, non-profits, and community-based organizations.

Ever since I was a small girl, I’ve been told that I’m “Mature beyond my years,” or that I “Don’t act my age.” Upon hearing such comments I was confused. However, as I grew older and became more self-aware, I realized how utterly true they were. In retrospect, I credit much of my maturity to being raised by two grandparents who have been senior citizens the entirety of the time I’ve known them. I’ve always harbored a passion for learning and have an innate ability to quickly grasp concepts. I admire any person or teacher who can challenge me because I know it contributes to personal growth. I also know that participating in The College of St. Scholastisca’s PSEO Program is perfect for me because I would be challenged to grow academically, mentally, and even spiritually. I thoroughly believe that I’d be hard-pressed to find another college that

In ninth grade, my mother suggested that I volunteer with peers at my high school who are special needs. She thought it would be good for me to meet other people my age who have their unique struggles in school, much like myself. I protested originally, but little did I know I would love volunteering with my peers, regardless of their disability. During this time, I signed up to volunteer with a local organization called Buddy Ball. At Buddy Ball, I had the opportunity to teach children with disabilities ages five through twenty-one baseball. When I volunteered with my peers, I mainly saw high schoolers with severe autism, intellectual disabilities, and emotional disturbances, whereas with Buddy Ball most of the participants had severe autism, intellectual disability, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, epilepsy, or a multiple of disabilities. Both of these experiences allowed me to gain knowledge of a variety of special

The reason why I want to have a seat in the University of Minnesota Post secondary Education Option Program is because it will be great for me obviously and it will help me become familiar with a college environment. The type of environment a college has is a mature one with mature way of interacting, than a high school has to offer, and I personally believe that the way students interact is important to how well they do in their study. And college is much more different than a high scool because there is a wide variety of indivituallies with different relgons,cultures,and languages and these situations are cool to experince first hand.My high school is a really small communitiy and it does not offer really good class unlike the University of Minnesota,which is why when I heard about this option I realized it was exactly what I want. In the PSEO program I will be able to acquire these skills,and make my experience at a college a one to remember.

Starratt’s work resonates with any educational change initiative, but this book has added dimension and depth to my work. Every day I attempt to orchestrate organizational change in dysfunctional special education departments that serve special needs individuals. First, Starratt (2004) makes it clear that an overarching goal of an effective and ethical educational leader is not only to identify the critical areas of concern, but to initiate the change needed to uphold and enhance the “common good.” In my current career, that applies to special education systems requiring reform where unwilling administrators do not reorganize priorities for that to happen. While the definition of the phrase, “the common good” may be unclear, when it comes to initiating change in special education practices, the indisputable outcome should be the ownership of all special needs students by every staff member.

There are few certainties of what one will encounter during life. A common joke names two: death and

With the help of teachers and my efforts, I have been successful and was even a recipient of an academic achievement award for students with a 3.6 GPA or higher. It is not always easy learning the materials, studying and placing my thoughts onto paper, yet I will continue to advocate for myself in any circumstance necessary. Despite having learning challenges in the classroom, it does not limit my activities outside of the classroom. I love to volunteer! One of my favorite activities includes being a volunteer buddy for the Miracle League of the Fox Valley. The Miracle League is a baseball organization for children and adolescents with physical and/or cognitive challenges. My role of a buddy is to assist my fellow buddy in any needs she may need, protect her from possible injuries and make sure she is having fun! I love having the opportunity of being a buddy, it has formed a forever lasting companionship and provided smiles that touch us all! Addition to the Miracle League, I’m a member of National Honor Society in which I volunteer in several community organizations to help better the community. I was honored to be selected as a Link Crew member. It has been one of my greatest opportunities to advocate for my peers with disabilities. This is a first time that Appleton North Link Crew created a program for students with physical and cognitive challenges to be included in a freshman transition program in

I have distinctly applied for Special Needs Education because special education has always been what’s near and dear to me in the field of education. Being a special education teacher would be an inevitably rewarding job, in which I get to watch my students grow, as I celebrate their small breakthroughs and victories with them. These small breakthroughs and victories will improve over time and turn into giant leaps, which will leave a lasting impact and ultimately change the child’s life. Beyond just educating children with special needs, I aspire to educate the public about children with special needs and special education. By doing so, I hope to remove any uncertainty and fear the public has on this group of children. Not only do I want to impart knowledge on these special children, I also want to advocate for them, which is something that goes

My name is Alyssa Fusco and I am on the path to becoming a special education teacher. In the course of my first few weeks in the Special Education course, I am not only learning how to be a better teacher, but training my mind in such a way that I can improve the lives of others. My interest in working with students with disabilities stems from my experience with Senior Experience at Calhoun High School. This program has developed a framework for my future career aspirations by observing how not only the faculty can make a difference in these students lives, but also the teachers facilitate an environment that promotes the integration between students with and without disabilities. Through mainstreaming these students, Calhoun High School showed me what type of difference I could make in the world through combining my passion for teaching and the place students with disabilities hold in my heart.

Pursing a career as a medical doctor is an opportunity for me to mentor youth in underserved populations. As a child, I was raised in the low income, urban community of Roxbury, MA. Although not as notorious today, the neighborhood had garnered negative attention for its high crime rates. My mother emigrated from Haiti and raised me as a single parent. Due to our financial circumstance, Roxbury became our permanent residence. I have always felt there was something lacking in Roxbury in comparison to other towns I visited. My teenage years were largely spent in the suburban town of Stoneham where I attended high school. There was a literal difference in air quality and a psychology contrast in future prospects. While native students of

I am highly interested in the opportunity to strengthen my personal and professional skillset by obtaining my Master of Science in Safety Sciences through Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s Online Program. Earning an MS in Safety Sciences will enable me become a greater asset to the EHS (environmental, health, and safety) profession. With my Master’s, I plan to lead and develop top level EHS programs within organizations and establish a consulting firm to manage all aspects of EHS.

Before Valpo, I was a shy and timid young artist who only express ideas and thoughts quietly through colors and canvases. However, everything changed when I stepped my foot here for the first time in 2012 as an Art Major student. Valpo helped me grow and transform into someone I always wanted to be, an outgoing and involving person. Besides focusing on maintaining my academic performance and scholarship, I was constantly inspired by the people around me to contribute myself with part many student’s organizations and campus’s offices. Including the Office of International Program (OIP), Office of Multi-Culture Program (OMP), Department of Integrated Marketing and Communications (IMC), University Program Council (UPC), Valparaiso International Student Association (VISA), and Asian American Pacific Islander Coalition (AAPIC). By involving with these organizations, I was taught and equipped myself with many skills and valuable experiences in marketing, commercial promotions, the public relation as well as opportunities to apply what I learned from my Art and Communication classes.

In 2009 and 2010, I fell down with my academics, struggling to get back up. My father was ill and I had take care of him throughout 2009 and 2010. Because of his illness, this led me to gain an interest in Social Work. I wanted to show myself that I was able to succeed, and determined to receive a degree in Sociology. I took interested in low SES and diversity. Leading me to understand that I wanted to contribute to society in a hands-on way instead of researching. To understand social work, I registered for a Special Education class. The special education class was helpful, I was able to understand students with disabilities. I am a Student Ambassador for the Student Disabilities on campus. I work with students who have disabilities, mentoring the students throughout the year. ← should I add the student ambassador for special education? I really do not want to start out with My father was ill. ← should I do the sandwich approach? Place the positives on bottom before this and the illness in the middle? *** I need to place the W’s in the middle. But! Draw attention to the other positives!***