The special education teacher training program at Olivet Nazarene University recognizes that the COVID 19 pandemic has changed the work of special educators. We want to understand how. With this podcast, we have gathered future special educators together to listen to the reflections of practicing special educators in the Kankakee, Illinois area. In each episode, someone from Olivet--either a special education major or a professor--shines the spotlight on a practicing special educator from one of our local schools.
In this episode, Dr. Ruth Reynolds interviews Christine Segvich. Christine takes us through her routine as a support specialist at Manteno Middle School. She talks about how her job has changed over the course of the pandemic, and how she continues to meet the needs of her students through this time. Music by PrimiciaRD from Pixabay
In this episode, teacher candidate Joanna Alvord interviews middle school teacher Stephanie Bailey. Stepahnie shares how she has grown as a teacher throughout this pandemic and how instruction has looked and changed for her students from the spring to the fall of 2020. Music by PrimiciaRD from Pixabay
In this episode, teacher candidate Maribel Bolivar interviews Daniel Hirsh. He takes us through his pandemic experiences and what it was like to balance teaching his students as well as teaching his own son from home. He discusses the importance of flexibility in today's teaching and how future teachers can prepare for the current world of education. Music by PrimiciaRD from Pixabay
In this episode, teacher candidate Abigail Wakeley interviews high school special education teacher Jennifer West. Jennifer explains the differences in what remote teaching looked like in the spring and how it looks now in the fall of 2020 and how she has evolved as a teacher through her experiences. Music by PrimiciaRD from Pixabay
In this episode, teacher candidate Kaylee Leeuw interviews Kelli Wadley, who teaches instructional English Language Arts and Math to 5th-8th grade students. Mrs. Wadley talks about her journey of entering the special education world as well as her experiences during remote teaching. She walks through how her school experience has changed and how she adapted through the pandemic challenges. Music by PrimiciaRD from Pixabay
In this episode, teacher candidate Andrew Ryczek interviews Jori Koster, who co-teaches 5th grade students. Jori shares how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted her professionally and personally and how her team has worked together to meet student needs in this new model of learning Music by PrimiciaRD from Pixabay
In this episode teacher candidate Carter Ferguson interviews Kankakee school district teacher Vicki Anderson. Vicki shares how she came into the world of teaching and education and discusses her students resilience through the COVID-19 pandemic changes. Music by PrimiciaRD from Pixabay
In this episode teacher candidate Ashlyn Pacer interviews high school special education teacher Beth Farrell. Beth's classroom focuses on vocational and job skills and she explains how the work and community experiences she has always done with her students have changed due to the pandemic Music by PrimiciaRD from Pixabay
In this episode, teacher candidate Maddie Manganiello interviews Bourbonnais school district teacher Jennifer Clausing. Jennifer discusses the successes and challenges of helping students make progress in this new style of teaching as well as how her classroom looks in a hybrid model of in-person and remote learning. Music by PrimiciaRD from Pixabay
In this episode, teacher candidate Emily Justice Mantor interviews Kaelyn Bess who teaches in the life skills program at BBCHS. She talks about how she has worked to cherish the time she has with her students and to focus on relationships while giving her students and herself grace through these challenging times Music by PrimiciaRD from Pixabay
In this episode, teacher candidate Kellie Randazzo interviews this year's local Special Educator of the Year, Alyssa Mosier from Bourbonnais School District 53.. Alyssa explains how her school has implemented a hybrid of both in person and remote learning and shares how she has adapted through the shifts between teaching at home and school and how the students have handled these new experiences. Music by PrimiciaRD from Pixabay
In this episode, Dr. Stipp interviews the local Novice Special Educator of the Year, Paige Sylvester. Paige walks us through the experience of thinking about her high school students' changing needs in spring 2020. She also walks us through a “day in the life” of her classroom in fall, 2020. Music by PrimiciaRD from Pixabay
In this episode, Dr. Brian Stipp and Professor Tonya Peterson discuss the vision for the podcast. The two professors talk about the nature of special education as a problem solving profession, and the unique challenges posed by COVID-19. Prof. Peterson also tells a heart-warming story of her goodbye to students on the last day before the schools shut down. Music by PrimiciaRD from Pixabay
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