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Special Education Instructor Becomes Student Activist In Sacramento

Joyce Childs is a special education teacher. She loves her students and has become an advocate for them as a leader in the field.

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(Photo Courtesy of Joyce Childs)

Childs' current role is as a resource teacher at an elementary school with students from preschool through the 8th grade. She works with administrators, educators, parents, and support personnel to provide accommodations and modifications for students assigned to her caseload to have every opportunity to move forward to a career or college acceptance to meet their personal goals.

"When I transferred to California State University Sacramento I majored in Child Development with a minor in Psychology. Many of these classes required that I perform a practicum working with children in an educational setting. I always found the programs for students with disabilities the most rewarding."

So she modified her initial formal plans in education to include a bachelor's degree in Child Development, a General Education Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, and a Special Education Teaching Credential for students with mild to moderate learning disabilities.

And there were certificates she achieved along her path. These were a Resource Specialist Certificate, a certificate with work with students identified with emotional disturbances, and two others to work with English language learners and to teach students identified on the autism spectrum.

As a leader, Childs has helped other special educators to improve their practice. "I have become an activist for special education in the state of California. I am currently on the Executive Board of CARS plus, the California Association of Special Educators. I am also on the Special Education Committee for the California Teachers Association."

"Connecting with people from all levels of government, policy makers and law makers is imperative. Reaching out to other professional organizations and making sure that other groups understand the mission of your organization is most important."

"My position is only possible through continued studies and advanced education degrees. To be successful in the field of special education you must continue to grow by following new research and theories regarding the array of learning disabilities and varying physical and mental conditions that effect students in public education."

Karen Hansen M.S. Earth Sciences, has been an educator and consultant who is currently an analyst regarding land and other public information records. She lives and works in Sacramento, CA. She has been writing about earth and the environmental sciences for Examiner.com since May of 2010. Find her work in several sections of the publication. You can find her work at SF Solar Energy Examiner, SF Environmental News Examiner and Environmental News Examiner 

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