Special Education Manager
Notes For Parents
Dear Parents/Guardians/students,
GREETINGS AND WELCOME BACK!!! I look forward to a productive and successful school year with you and your child(ren). For some of you, it may be necessary to schedule a meeting during the first marking period, depending on his/her progress, to discuss changes in your child's Individual Educational Program (IEP) to better meet their needs and assist in their level of achievement. Thank you all in advance for your support and assistance with this important matter as we approach a new and challenging 2011 - 2012 school year.
Goals for the Year
My goals are to assist the classroom teaching staff in educating and providing support for all students no matter whether they are a part of the general eduation or the special needs population. I will also assess new and current students who may have English as a second language and the need for additional educational services regarding English language proficiency and students who present with special needs at the Academy of Dover Charter School. Therefore, conversations with individual classroom teachers, who bring these issues to my attention, and conversations with their parents will be necessary in order to plan appropriately for every childs academic, behavioral and social need.
All in all, I look ahead to a very busy, challenging and productive school year as I strive to successfully meet all of these expectations.
About the Teacher
Name: Wendy P. Higgins
I am currently the Special Education Manager/Coordinator at the Academy of Dover Charter School. I was initially hired as a 5th grade teacher and have been employed here since the schools inception in 2003.
Teaching Experience: Over 23 years experience; 17 years in Special Education and 6 years in Elementary Education; Places taught include Illinois, Nevada, West Germany, Upper Penninsula of Michigan and Delaware
Education: Bachelor of Science in Education at Illinois State University
Illinois Certification: Standard Elementary Teaching, Standard Secondary Teaching, Physically Handicapped, Self Contained General Education K-6, Social Science Upper Elementary/Jr. High, Learning Behavior Specialist I, Learning Disabilities, Mental Retardation, Physically Handicapped Preschool to Grade 9 and Grade 6 to Age 21
Delaware Certification: Standard Teacher of Physically Impaired, Standard Teacher of Exceptional Children Grades K-12, Standard Teacher of Exceptional Children Grades 1-8, Standard Teacher of Elementary K-6
Homework
The ongoing assignment for all of the students I see would be to take 15-30 minutes each night to read a book; more time could be spent on the weekends. After reading that story or book, tell someone about what you have read. In retelling the story, remember to use as many details as you can. Also, try to answer the following questions for yourself: (do this for each story or book that you read.) And, practicing identifying sight words for their individual grade level.
1. What is the setting?
2. Who are the characters? Describe them using details, ie. "The girl wore dark blue socks and black shoes."
3. What is the main idea? (using as many details as possible)
4. What will happen next? (Make inferences about the story)
5. Is the story fiction or non-fiction? Why?
6. Why did the author write the story? (for entertainment, informative, etc.)
*These are all good ways to make sure you know what you have read each time you read. This practice will bring about reading fluency and decoding skills. If your child needs assistance with words, encourage them to use context clues or a dictionary to help them with the meaning of a word. It's always best if students are encouraged to use their resources and that doesn't always mean to ask the person next to you. Find out for yourself! This way you can say, "I did it!"
**The DOLCH sight word list can be found by Googling, "Dolch Sight Word List". 
Contact the Teacher
The best time to contact me would either be between 8 and 10 am or from 3:00 to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, via (302) 674-0684, extension, #152. Please also feel free to leave a message and I will return the call at my earliest convenience. Your call is important to me.
Class News
The students who come to work with me in small groups, are practicing letter identifcation, letter sounds, initial sounds, DOLCH sight words for their individual grade level, reading fluency and comprehension skills. The use of activities and manipulatives from the Reading Assist materials are often motivational and beneficial to students who come to work with me as well as some of the websites which I have indicated in the 'links' section of my teacher page. All come prepared to learn a little more than the day before and leave with a sense of accomplishment for the effort they give to the task. We will continue to strive to do our best!
Links
Really good links to try with your child(ren) to enhance skills in various academic areas: Have Fun!!!!
Classroom Rules and Expectations
MY "BOOK OF RULES" :
1. RAISE HAND BEFORE SPEAKING
2. KEEP HANDS AND FEET TO YOURSELF
3. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS THE FIRST TIME GIVEN
4. LISTEN WHEN OTHERS ARE SPEAKING
5. COME TO CLASS PREPARED
*HAVE FUN WHILE LEARNING!!!