NC ELSSP-VI Newsletter
September 2015
Each child will be honored, respected, and empowered to achieve success in school and life.
Will made a "b"!
Bracey seems to like the puzzle.
Ellie stacking rings with Ms. Sandy...
North Carolina Early Learning Sensory Support Program for the Visually Impaired
Email: bethany.mayo@dpi.nc.gov
Website: earlylearning.nc.gov
Location: 6371 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699
Phone: (919) 733-0533
September Quote
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Contents
Student Pictures Submitted by NC ELSSP-VI Staff
Professional Development Submitted by Lin CauseyResources You May Not Know About
Welcome New Staff
Vacancy Announcement
iPad 'Appiness Submitted by Becky Lowrey
Take a Look...or a Second Look Submitted by Dee Martin
ELSSP Super Heroes
September's Star Student Submitted by Karen DeWitt
Director's Spotlight Submitted by Bethany Mayo
Professional Development Opportunities
ELSSP/VI Statewide Staff Meeting
Friday, Sep 25, 2015, 01:00 PM
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RSVPs are enabled for this event.
REGISTER NOW!!!
The 65th Conference on Exceptional Children November 18-20, 2015 at Koury Convention Center, Sheraton Greensboro Hotel at Four Seasons, in Greensboro, NC. Remember this is free for DPI staff. Registration by phone may be necessary for fee to be waived.
http://ec.ncpublicschools.gov/conferences-profdev/annual-conference
Announcing the 2015 GREAT Conference in Raleigh on November 4th - 6th.
- Excellent sessions
- 2 Keynote Addresses
- Open Exhibit Hall on Thursday, November 5th One Day Registration available
If you have any questions or need further information, contact Tammy Koger, Director at the North Carolina Assistive Technology Program. tammy.koger@dhhs.nc.gov
Find out more and register at this link: http://www.ncatp.org/Forms/Final%20Registration%20GREAT%20Conf%202015.pdf
Ongoing Professional Development Opportunities
Perry Flynn, the state consultant for speech and language, has recommended these free, half hour training modules.
Non members of ASHA may also take advantage of this workshop.
Click the web address below to access the modules.
http://www.asha.org/eweb/olsdynamicpage.aspx?webcode=olsashafree15
(This will open a new tab in your browser).
Please, direct any feedback to Perry Flynn directly at pfflyn@uncg.edu.
Enhancing Services in Natural Environments at http://eiexcellence.org/resources/webinars/ offered by EI Excellence through the Mecklenburg County CDSA.
Online Oreintation to Early Intervention at http://www.beearly.nc.gov/data/slides/OEI.pdf
offered by the North Carolina Early Intervention (NCEI) website.
Resources You May Not Know About
"Visual Brailler" is a free iPad app from American Printing House (APH) that allows you to practice your braille skills, braille things as well as email what you have brailled.
FREE: UEB "Cheatsheet" from Duxbury at www.duxburysystems.com/images/ueb_black.pdf. It can be saved in your iBooks on the iPad/iPhone, it can also be printed out (best on 11 x 17 paper).
ELSSP-VI would like to officially welcome our newest staff members...
Bios
Kelly Denny graduated from UNC-G in 1992. She interned in the Inclusive classroom (which was staffed by Governor Morehead and the UNC-G childcare program) and later worked there as a VI teacher for 9 years. After getting married in 2001 and moving back to Stokes County, Kelly left GMP and went to work for the Stokes County School System for 14 years. Kelly and her husband have two boys (Keenan 19 and Grayson 12), 3 cats and 2 dogs. Their favorite vacation spot is the beach. Kelly says, "I feel like my work with children and families over these last 23 years has been a calling. I can only hope I have enriched their lives in some way and helped to make their journey easier. I do know for sure they have blessed me". Kelly joined us in July. Welcome Kelly!
Megan lives in Asheville with her son, Nate (8), their chocolate Lab Dolly, and their cat, Nelson. She graduated from Auburn with her BFA in graphic design but has been teaching for the past 11 years (mostly in Henderson County). Megan received her Masters in VI and is a certified TVI and O & M Specialist. She enjoys soccer, cooking, running 5K's, cross fit, hiking, hanging out with friends, going to the movies and eating out, Megan joined us in July. Welcome Megan!
New Staff Continued...
Bios Continued...
Juliet lives in Wilkes County. She is happily married (finally) and has a son, a daughter and a granddaughter. Juliet is a fourth generation teacher. Before joining our team, Juliet was the TVI for Wilkes County Schools. She lives on a farm/zoo with a happy mixture of animals. Juliet is so happy to be a part of ELSSP/VI! She joined our program in August. Welcome Juliet!
iPad 'Appiness
After a brief hiatus, I’m back with some iPad suggestions and reviews. This month I downloaded a book from iBooks that helps teach basic iPad interaction skills, tapping and swiping. Reviews for Stay Still, Squeaky! state that it is an “accessible interactive book” for children with low vision or even with no vision. The book has simple brightly colored pictures, gentle and slow animation, narration and a bell when it is time to swipe to turn the page. Each page contains a new messy adventure for “Squeaky” who is supposed to be staying clean prior to a visit to his grandmother’s. This book is British in origin and on one page the word “rubbish” is used instead of trash, but for older kids, this could be a teachable moment about variation in culture, even between English speaking countries. I found Squeaky to be a cute book, and I hope to pair it with some hands-on exploration in “messiness”. Stay Still, Squeaky! is by Sonokids and costs $3.19.
Take a Look...or a Second Look
Check out Perkins elearn professional development webcasts! (Website noted below). One favorite webcast is Cortical Visual Impairment and the Evaluation of Functional Vision featuring Dr. Christine Roman.
I found this webcast informative, an “easy listen” and helped me just one more time to more fully understand the many and complex issues of children diagnosed with cortical visual impairment.
Cortical visual impairment is a leading cause of visual impairments. Children identified with cortical visual impairments may be children who have experienced any number of conditions that impact the brain including strokes, congenital hydrocephalus, periventricular leukomalacia and head trauma for example.
A description from the website follows:
“Dr. Roman talks about the importance of early diagnosis and common diagnostic issues. In addition, she provides information about the specific characteristic behaviors of CVI and examples of each. The webcast also provides information regarding the evaluation of functional vision as well as interventions to improve functional vision.”
Topics include early diagnosis; characteristic behaviors of CVI; diagnostic issues; evaluation functional vision and strategies for intervention.
For teachers just beginning in the field this is an excellent introduction to the unique characteristics, assessment and intervention needs of children identified with cortical visual impairments.
Enjoy!
Dee
Early Learning Sensory Support Super Heroes
Getting Super Dot Ready...
Heroes
Super Dot
Opening Meeting
*HI (Staff from ELSSP-Hearing Impairments)
*VI (Staff from ELSSP-Visually Impairments)
Heroes
Pam (VI) and Kyra, The Wonder Guide Dog
Versatile'
Super Teacher Office 365
Kristen Steele (HI) introduces Super Gil!
Super
Super Woman
Super TVI AKA Angel Wallace (VI)
Super Heroes
Chris Czajkowski (HI) introduces Super Teacher!
The Wonder Guide Dog
September's Star Student
Julian
Heather Lister
Heather began her teaching career in 1995 as a Special Education teacher in Martin County at Williamston High School. In 1996 she started working for the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County School District (ECPPS). Heather worked for a year and a half with the Governor Morehead Preschool before going back to ECPPS to be the Preschool Coordinator for students with special needs. While serving as Preschool Coordinator, Heather was the head of the Autism Problem Solving Team, Program Specialist for Low Incidence Disabilities, a member of the Assistive Technology Team, ADOS Team, TPBA-2 Team and an Educational Diagnostician. She just finished her 20th year teaching (all in Special Education).
Heather graduated with her undergraduate degree in Special Education from Elizabeth City State University in 1995. She obtained her Masters in Special Education from East Carolina University in 2000 and later her Pre-K add-on certification. Heather has taken and passed the VI Praxis and will have her VI internship completed in December (thru North Carolina Central University).
Heather is married to her husband; Osmond and they have four children, Eric 22, Cameron 20, Kylan 17 and Kennedy 11. They have never “officially” adopted or fostered children but have had three different children live with them in the past several years. Her family enjoys attending sporting events, going to church, cooking out, playing corn hole and working with the local Special Olympics. Heather resides in Elizabeth City, NC and serves Region 1.
Heather has demonstrated superior leadership skills in just a short period of time. Since she joined the ELSSP-VI team in March, she has volunteered to help with several special projects including Editor of the ELSSP-VI Newsletter. Her most recent accomplishment was being nominated by the Governor's office to serve on the North Carolina State Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC). The ICC brings policy makers, service providers, and parents together. It serves young children with disabilities and developmental delays, and their families. Its members work to ensure that the supports and services offered to families are in line with their needs (http://www.beearly.nc.gov/index.php/icc/icc). I am excited to see the great things Heather will accomplish for children and families. Thank you Heather for being the Director's Spotlight.
Photo Credits
NC ELSSP-VI Staff
Google Images (itunes.apple.com)