Educators Learn to Look for Language and Disability Problems
Nearly 140 educators from across the state were recently schooled in how to make more appropriate decisions for the education of culturally and linguistically diverse students.
The educators attended a workshop, called “Pinpointing the Problem: Language or Disability?,” organized by the Jones Institute for Educational Excellence and held Thursday, March 8, 2007 at the Potter-Beath Activity Center in Emporia.
At the workshop educators learned how culturally diverse learners may be found to be eligible for special education but should not be placed if the discrepancy is the result of environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage.
“This workshop will help evaluation teams meet the challenge of separating difference from disability when pinpointing learning problems of ELL students,” said Toni Bowling, the workshop’s coordinator.
Catherine Collier, the workshop’s presenter, has over 35 years experience in cross-cultural, bilingual, and special education. Dr. Collier created the Bilingual Special Education Curriculum/Training project (BISECT) at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and works extensively with school districts on professional and program development for at-risk diverse learners. Her most recent books include Separating Difference and Disability: Assessing Diverse Learners and Cognitive Learning Strategies for Diverse Learners.
For more information about this workshop, contact Toni Bowling at 620-341-5372 or 1-877-378-5433, mbowling@emporia.edu.
Educators in attendance at the workshop included:
USD 229, Blue Valley –
David Bowman, Psychologist
Priscilla DiPasquale, Speech Therapy
Sue Ewald, ESL Teacher
Tammi Graff, ESL Teacher
Mary Head, ESL Teacher
Linda Kozacek, ESOL Teacher
Brenda Kraft, ESOL Teacher
Jessica Mack, School Psychologist
Jose Mendez, School Psychologist
USD 232, De Soto –
Karen Chipman, ELL Elementary Teacher
Judy Keimig, ELL Instructor
Gerrie Meyer, ESL Teacher
Sharyl Serafin, ESL Teacher
USD 233, Olathe –
Bethany Good, ELL Teacher
Jamie Tomlinson, Resource LD Teacher
USD 253, Emporia –
Allison Anderson
Holly Aranda, SpEd Teacher
Mindy Clark
Derek Eccles, School Psych.
Becki Goodman, Resource Teacher
Rodney Gutsch, ELA Teacher
Andy Hawley
John Lexow, ELA Teacher
Shelley Lutes
Teresa Malley
Carson Matile, Social Studies Teacher
Scott Sheldon, Principal
Patricia Smiley, Director of Integrated Services
Dean Ramcharan
Linda Snyder, SpEd Teacher
Valerie Symmonds, ELA Teacher
Stephanie Sullivan, Counselor/Math
Signe Truelove, Resource Teacher
Jennifer Weaver, Resource Teacher
Tammi Wirsig, SpEd Teacher
USD 259, Wichita –
Anthony Asla, Psychologist
Tammy Birkholz, ESOL Teacher
Marjorie Gallagher, Psychologist
Karen Hubbard, Speech Teacher
Shanna Nispel, Social Worker
Debbie Oppenheimer, Counselor
Lori Orth, ESOL Teacher
Leslie Perez, Social Worker
Janet Petersen, School Psychologist
Deanna Ptasznik, ESOL Teacher
Evelyn Regier, School Nurse
Kathy Reyes, Psychologist
Jane Ridder, Speech-Language Pathologist
Machi Samano, ESOL Teacher
Valerie Snyder, ESOL Teacher
Andree Walsh, Psychologist
Valerie Young, ESOL Teacher
Shelley McKinney, ESOL Teacher
USD 260, Derby –
Theresa Bahns, Psychologist
Pam Bush, Psychologist
Vicky Hastings, Social Worker
Laura L. Jones, Reading Specialist
Jessica Peck
USD 262, Valley Center –
Evangelina Boyd, Bilingual Paraprofessional
Peggy Sprunger, ESOL Coordinator
USD 265, Goddard –
Theresa Lam, ELL Services
USD 266, Maize –
Carolyn Long, Math Teacher
Cathy Pettay, 2nd Grade Teacher
Alejandra Prendes, ESOL
Antonia Psycharis, ESOL
Jan Watson, Teacher
USD 268, Cheney –
Jeanine Long
USD 308, Hutchinson –
Phil Anderson, US History Teacher
Donna Davis, Science Teacher
Phyllis M. Hoppes, SpEd Teacher
Sue Howard, Math Teacher
Jo McFadden, Curriculum and Instruction Specialist
Shannon Stuckert, ESL Instructor
Amy Waggoner
Mary Smith, Assistant Director
USD 309, Nickerson –
Mathew Workman, School Psychologist
USD 373, Newton –
Karen Bonewitz, Speech Language Pathologist
Joe O'Hare, School Psychologist
USD 402, Augusta –
Connie Chance
USD 416, Louisburg –
Cindy Apple, Special Ed. Teacher
John Ozier, School Psychologist
USD 470, Arkansas City –
Tamara Bucher, ESL Coordinator
Deb Herndon, Teacher
USD 500, Kansas City –
Emily Barger, Teacher
Yolanda Bediako, Instructional Coach
Denise Brashley, Transition Facilitator
ChristieClayton, K-5 Teacher
Christine Dewberry, Preschool
Sandy Fey, Speech & Language Pathologist
April Frederick, K-5 Teacher
Jackie Gleichman, Preschool
Marylee Griffith, Preschool Coordinator
Heather Hamtil, Instructional Coach
Josie Herrera, Reading 6-8
Marcia Hurt, Teacher
Lucinda Jones, Preschool
Abby Kepka, ESL Teacher
Amy Kuhn, Speech & Language Pathologist
Charlene Littlefield, ESL Teacher
Katrina Lundien, ESL Teacher
Susanne Mahoney, Speech & Language Pathologist
Cindi McCaleb, SpEd Teacher
Marisha Patel, Speech Pathologist
Sarah Plese, Speech & Language Pathologist
Jennifer Ray, Instructional Coach
Karin Rettinger, Preschool
Kathy Rosenberg, Reading 6-8
Lindsey Schenider, Instructional Coach
Kerri Schreiber, Speech & Language Pathologist
Claudia Shannon, SpEd Coordinator
Dr. R.L Shannon, Pscyhologist
Janette Stuart, Teacher
Brenda Temaat, Preschool
Judy Vang, ESL Teacher
Margaret Wiens, Speech & Language Pathologist
USD 501, Topeka –
Cherie Blanchat, Social Worker
Lynne Christ, School Psychologist
R. Eileen Cox, SpEd Teacher
Mary Dalton, ESL Coordinator
Hana Dreiling, School Psychologist
Janet McAsey, SLP
Paolo Politi, Social Worker
Bonnie Robles, Coordinator of Social Work Services
Lynda Schlesener, ELL Literacy Coach
Beth Smith, SpEd Teacher
Sharon Stuewe, School Social Worker
Peggy Taylor, ESL Elementary Teacher
Judy Ward, School Psychologist
USD 512, Shawnee Mission –
Kim Brockman, ELL Teacher
Carrie Herzet, Speech Language Pathologist
Kathy Ostby, School Psychologist
Kelli Wallace, School Psychologist
Garden City Community College –
Jenni Evans, Assessment Clerk
Jean Louise Ferguson, ESL Instructor
Martha Lisk, Educational Support Advisor
Emporia State University –
Melissa Reed
Kansas State University –
Suzanne Donnelly
University of Kansas –
M. Lourdes Olivares-Escobedo
Last Updated July 2, 2007>