1. Hello, I am Rebecca.

2. I am from Wylie, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. I am a Paraprofessional in a 5 th and 6 th grade, Structured Academic Communication Class. The class is self contained for Autistic children. Throughout the day, the students also attend General Ed. inclusion classes, which I accompany them. NOTE: To change images on this slide, select a picture and delete it. Then click the Insert Picture icon in the placeholder to insert your own image.

3. These two are my pride and joy and sometimes a pain in my backside, but they are like my children. Life is better coming home to these two. Gracie, is a 6 year old canine, and Bunny, my kitten, is 6 months old. They are best friends and sometimes partners in crime. NOTE: To change images on this slide, select a picture and delete it. Then click the Insert Picture icon in the placeholder to insert your own image.

4. Me as a learner... I feel like a life time learner. I was a non-traditional college student when I pursued my Bachelors degree. I was not interested in college until I was a lot older than the average college student. I eventual completed my Bachelors of Science degree in Social Science. I latter decided to go for my Masters Degree. I chose Masters of Arts in Education with a specialization in Special Education. I am one that learns visually and actually hands on. I can read a textbook and absorb information, but when I see and do the task; I then feel like I have completely grasped the objective. As a life time learner; I learn something new everyday, rather that is in class as a student, or at work as a Paraprofessional among other educators and students. I feel like a life learner, as I am no spring chicken and it has taken me a while to get this far in education, but also because I believe no one really stops learning, even after school.

5. My interest in Special Education… I have had a passion to help those with disabilities since I was a youth. As a young child, I had a friend with Down Syndrome. Throughout my adult years, I have volunteered with the Special Olympics. After completing my Bachelors and thinking of my future career goals, I decided to go for a Teacher’s certificate. A few years back, I completed my Texas Teachers Certification in Special Education in an Alternative certification program. I hope to someday have a teachers position in a Elementary Special Education Resource class, but right now, I enjoy being a Paraprofessional in Special Education. Teaching Special Ed can be a challenge, but so rewarding that on difficult days, I try and reflect on the rewarding feeling when a student achieves a goal.

6. Future ESE 633 Objective and Activities Objective “Implement effective collaborative communication techniques in a education setting”. Activities Discussion - “Be a moral booster by being a leader.” Final paper - “IEP case study, collaborating with multiple points of view.” Retrieved from ESE 633 syllabus. I think education and being a good educator takes team work and learning to work with other educators and parents is very important for a student achieving success. In addition to learning how to collaborate, I look forward to the discussion on boosting moral and being a leader. I think moral is very important in achieving a goal. I look forward to learning more on how to do that and lead others. I also look forward to the final project, not just because it is the final project and all your gained knowledge can be shown, but learning and demonstrating on how one can work with others where multiple points of view exist. It sounds interesting and there can be multiple views from different interest parties in a students educational experience that one will work with.

7. Good luck to all and I look forward to learning along with each of you.