NC ELSSP-VI Newsletter
February 2018
Each child will be honored, respected, and empowered to achieve success in school and life.
Owen
...drawing shapes on a light box.
Teacher, Lori PersingerTyler
Teacher, Karen Beijer
Thomas
...enjoying playtime with a high contrast zebra toy.
Teacher, Paula RotenNorth Carolina Early Learning Sensory Support Program for Children with Visual Impairments
Office of Early Learning
Email: bethany.mayo@dpi.nc.gov
Website: earlylearning.nc.gov
Location: 6371 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699
Phone: (919) 733-0533
Deacon
Teacher, Lori Persinger
Gabriellle
Teacher, Lori Persinger
Nathan
Teacher, Lori Persinger
Contents
Amazing Kids Submitted by Staff Members
Fabulous February Student of the Month Submitted by Hitty Chiott
The Stuff of Valentine's Day Submitted by Lori Persinger
Strategy to See Workshop Submitted by Paula Roten
Giving a Big Hand for Pam Bye Submitted by Hitty Chiott
Professional Development Submitted by Lin Causey
Staff Birthdays for February
Photo/Video Credits
Fabulous February Student of the Month...Laken
Laken never fails to amaze me and she always does something fun and unexpected. In the first picture, she is examining her two song choices: Wheels on the Bus, or the ABC song. In the next picture, she chooses BOTH - at the same time! She outsmarted me again!
Hmmm...decisions decisions...
Both please!
Ha! You got me, and I love it!
The Stuff of Valentine's Day May Be Good for the Heart, in More Ways Than One
“A teacher takes a hand, opens a mind, and touches the heart.”
~Author unknown~
This quote came to mind as I think of our profession and Valentine’s Day this month. The shape of a heart is synonymous with love, which made me think about all the reasons I love what I do in this profession and I hope it shows. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to touch and be touched by so many lives throughout the years. Teaching is my love language.
With the beginning of a new year, it's the perfect time for us to recognize (and remind ourselves) why we absolutely love what we do. Here are my top 10 reasons I love teaching:
1. To share my passion for learning
2. I feel like my work has a purpose
3. I learn new things every day
4. To see the world from the children’s perspective
5. I love all the cool teaching tools and technology
6. My singing and acting career never took off (just kidding).
7. It is a fun and I can be creative
8. I get to work with an amazing team of gifted and talented practitioners
9. ELSSP-VI is a place where we share ideas purely for the sake of bettering ourselves.
10. It’s exciting to watch students grow in knowledge, confidence and skills. I admire their personal strength and determination to live and make the most of each day.
Lori Persinger, TVI
Paula Roten, Diane Sheline and Heather Bradford
Heather Bradford, Paula Roten and Angel Wallace attended Diane Sheline's "Strategy to See: Strategies for Students with Cerebral/Cortical Visual Impairment" workshop January 26th and 27th in Durham. Diane is from Texas and has the Perkins Roman CVI Endorsement. Participants received a copy of Diane's Book Strategy to See. There were also numerous materials displayed including Diane's adapted books for students with CVI. In the photo Diane is holding an adapted slinky (she glued a puck light to the top of the slinky). For more information, vist Diane's website.
Diane's website is https://strategytosee.com/
Giving a Big Hand for Pam Bye...In Appreciation for Helping Hands
As a new TVI with ELSSP, I am incredibly grateful to have to have joined such a special team of helpful colleagues and mentors. Recently I had the opportunity to join one of my peer mentors, Pam Bye, on a visit with one of her students. In this short visit I got to see in action so many wonderful teaching strategies that are important in helping our students with visual impairments. For example, because her student benefits from a predictable routine, she starts and ends her lessons with a sweet greeting song and an ending song. After the greeting song she provides opportunities to practice looking at two options and making a choice for which song she would like next as shown in this picture featuring a choice between Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or The Itsy Bitsy Spider songs.
Professional Development Opportunities
Save the Date
The NC Conference on Visual Impairment and Blindness is scheduled for
April 19 and 20, 2018 at the Sheraton Chapel Hill.
There will be 5 tracks: Pre-School, K-12, Vocational Rehabilitation, Orientation and Mobility
and Pre-Employment Transition Services.
Monthly Webinars: Partnering with YOU through Visual Impairment information sharing
From the North Carolina Department of Publlc Instruction
Monthly Webinars 3:30-4:30 PM
February 15th
Secondary Transition for Students with Visual Impairment
April 12th
Practical Strategies for Preparing Students with VI for State Testing
May 3rd
Transitioning Students From One Level to the Next:
Preschool through High School
February Staff Birthdays
February 8th Debra Graham
February 12th Maryam Griffin
February 17th Lori Persinger
February 27th Malikata Blakey
February 27th Angel Wallace
Photo/Video Credits
NC ELSSP-VI Staff