Speech Spirit: Future Challenges in Early Intervention
Normally I write the Speech Spirit post as the first entry for each month. However, last week I chose to finish my two-part interview with Christy Marzzacco, CCC-SLP and CED (Certified Teacher of the Deaf). Therefore, today's post will serve as the Speech Spirit entry for June 2009.
Over the last two weeks I have had the unique experience of teaching a graduate level class at West Chester University, a wonderful institution both locally and nationally recognized for their Department of Communicative Disorders. Although, I myself graduated just a short time ago, I have been struck by the incredible changes in technology that have occurred in the last 10-15 years. I am teaching not 1, but 3 classrooms at one time. I have 15 students in my actual classroom, as well as two "distance learner" classrooms, one in New Jersey and one in Harrisburg, PA, with a grand total of 24 students.
The university uses a program called "Blackboard" which allows me to post announcements, send emails and outline course assignments in a central place for all the students enrolled in the class to view through the internet. I carry my laptop with me and can display documents on a screen that all 3 campuses are able to view at the same time. The students are so accustomed to using all these different technologies that half the time, they are helping me problem solve how to send information to each of the campuses and then receive it back again so that I can grade it.
Needless to say, this has been a very humbling two weeks. Being in this position has been challenging and has given me a new perspective and appreciation for our life's work. These young women (and men—there is one male in the class), are so bright and eager to learn about what awaits them. The challenges they will face in EI, the public school system, or whatever path they chose to follow are looming in their near future and they know it. I can sense the mix of excitement and anxiety in the questions they ask and the info they want to know—they are sponges soaking up what I say and any expertise I can offer.
I remember that time so well and I am amazed at what I have learned in this past decade. The confidence that has developed simply by getting up and going to work each day and tackling the tasks that I have chosen to accept is significant. I am very grateful to be in a situation now where I am able to serve the youth of this country who like myself, have chosen to dedicate their education and life to teaching children with disabilities. It's a very spiritual notion to see life repeating itself and watch this next generation of young adults tackle the issues we face each day in the early intervention work force.