Special education or special needs education is the practice of educating students with special needs in a way that addresses their individual differences and needs. Ideally, this process involves the individually planned and systematically monitored arrangement of teaching procedures, adapted equipment and materials, and accessible settings. These interventions are designed to help learners with special needs achieve a higher level of personal self-sufficiency and success in school and their community, than may be available if the student were only given access to a typical classroom education.

Common special needs include learning disabilities, communication disorders, emotional and behavioral disorders, physical disabilities, and developmental disabilities. Students with these kinds of special needs are likely to benefit from additional educational services such as different approaches to teaching, the use of technology, a specifically adapted teaching area, or a resource room.

Intellectual giftedness is a difference in learning and can also benefit from specialized teaching techniques or different educational programs, but the term "special education" is generally used to specifically indicate instruction of students with disabilities. Gifted education is handled separately.

Whereas special education is designed specifically for students with special needs, remedial education can be designed for any students, with or without special needs; the defining trait is simply that they have reached a point of under-preparedness, regardless of why. For example, even people of high intelligence can be underprepared if their education was disrupted, for example, by internal displacement during civil disorder or a war.

In most developed countries, educators modify teaching methods and environments so that the maximum number of students are served in general education environments. Therefore, special education in developed countries is often regarded as a service rather than a place. Integration can reduce social stigmas and improve academic achievement for many students.

The opposite of special education is general education. General education is the standard curriculum presented without special teaching methods or supports.

I have been a native of Mississippi all of my life with the exception of earning a graduate degree from Arkansas State University.  Upon graduating from Arkansas State University, in 1996, we moved back to Mississippi, and we reside in DeSoto County.

My husband and I made DeSoto County our home with our daughters.  We believe DeSoto County is a wonderful place to raise a family.  We have two daughters, Callie and Josie.  Both of our girls attend Lewisburg Schools.  I love having them both close to my work.

I have been in the academic field of education for over 19 years.  I know the field of education is where I want to work and assist students.  I have over 10 years experience with GED instruction and remedial English, Writing, and Mathematics.   I have been certified in Special Education for over 7 years.  I love to work in remediation in order to reinforce what is taught in the classroom.

It is great to work with students one on one.  I am immediately able to see when errors occur and when errors are corrected, and when students are proud of their individual accomplishments, I am able to see this also.

It is great to know and to see students' accomplishments and share in the enjoyment with the students when this occurs.

Beside working as a SPED Teacher, I assist with the boys and girls on the LHS Swim Team, and I am the Coach of the LHS Chess Team.

Education

Associates of Art in Communication - Northwest Mississippi Community College

Bachelor of Science in Communication - University of Southern Mississippi

Masters of Science in Mass Communication - Arkansas State University

18+ hours in English from The University of Memphis and The University of Mississippi.

Experience

Distance Learning Coordinator and Video Conferencing Facilitator - University of Mississippi, DeSoto Center

GED Instructor - Northwest Mississippi Community College, DeSoto Center

8th Grade English Teacher - Lake Cormorant Middle School, DeSoto County

GED Instructor - Lewisburg High School, DeSoto County

Special Education Teacher - Lewisburg High School, DeSoto County