EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES FOR EXCEPTIONAL LEARNERS
How to navigate, accommodate, and advocate for special needs during COVID19
Wednesdays at 2pm US-Eastern Time.
Rebecca Muller, Special Educator and Advocate, Collingswood High School
Target Audience(s): Teachers, Parents, Administrators, Paraprofessionals
SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP GROUP: https://learningrevolution.com/groups/ECEL
COVID19 has impacted everyone. As school districts transitioned to remote learning, students who received services throughout the day now had their routine eliminated. Families who relied on nurses had to make tough decisions whether or not to allow these professionals into their homes. Self-reliance became essential within a community that relies on each other for support. It has had a huge impact on learning for those with special needs and, at the current time, resources are scattered. Together, through conversation and community, let's help create a bridge to children and resources. As budgets get cut, special education advocacy must be paramount.
Rebecca’s dedication to exceptional learners started in elementary school when she was a “special friend” to the mainstream class. She was President of the Council for Exceptional Children at her school, attending many conferences and working with local community groups to help educate and advocate for persons with disabilities. Her senior thesis was “World Autism Awareness Day and It’s Educational Challenges” allowing her to work alongside Global Education Motivators as a Representative to the United Nations to conduct the first international video conference for teachers on the subject of autism. She earned her Master’s Degree in Special Education from Rowan University and certification in Educational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania.
Her career started in the private sector as a school district liaison working with students, families, and school districts to transition students from the home as their least restrictive environment back to the school setting. Most of these students were classified on the autism spectrum but had complex profiles. Many were children adopted from other countries dealing with reactive attachment disorders. This work drove the importance of advocacy for education programs for all children. Through attending conferences, listening to others, and building a network she continued to gather information to help her families.
She taught 4th grade at a dual-language community school outside of Washington, D.C. where 70% of the population were english language learners. She helped to pilot a new mathematics program to help the school increase effective mathematics instruction. By 2013, she transitioned back to her home state of New Jersey and taught 7th grade in a suburban school as a language arts and mathematics resource teacher for five years. In addition to teaching, she was director of the school musical creating an inclusive environment. Currently with a drive to make a difference in the lives of exceptional learners she is teaching high school geometry and algebra 2 helping students find their career paths and get them on the road to success post high school education.
@educatormuller
