Social Skills

For as long as I can remember, I have always been inspired and drawn to children that arrived to school everyday despite challenges at home and various learning styles. My heart broke for these students who were repeatedly dismissed by educators that were not trained to meet their needs, were sent to the office or quite literally banished from the classroom. Students that were seen as “bad” were sent to other schools, and we never saw them again. When educators supported these children by simply listening, opening their hearts and showing compassion, I couldn’t help but notice the difference.

Sheila Vander Tuig is a special education vocational/transition coordinator with the East Central Kansas Cooperative in Education. In her role supporting students from three Kansas high schools, Ms. Vander Tuig continually demonstrates her passion to enhance postsecondary outcomes using a strengths-based approach, like CEC’s founder Elizabeth Farrell. Ms. Vander Tuig seeks out partnerships with community-based organizations and universities above and beyond her responsibilities in the classroom to bring innovative programs and projects that promote the success of all students she supports.

Benjamin “Ben” Tillotson is a Transition Specialist at the Salt Lake City School District, in Utah. During his 9 years in education, he has work with his students in the SCORE program. SCORE strives to prepare students for the transition from school to adult life with meaningful experiences that prepare them to be successful in their communities and employment. Watch a video interview with Benjamin Tillotson as he shares his Philosophy about respecting the humanity in every student to help them become the best human they can be.

As a moderate-severe disabilities teacher for an independent school district in a suburb of Louisville for 5 years, I focused my instruction on increasing the functional ability and independence of my students while still seeing academic growth in my students.