Special Education Manager
Notes For Parents
I look forward to working with all of you as well as meeting new students and families in the upcoming school year 2010-2011. WELCOME BACK to many of you!!! Get ready for an incredible school year ahead. 
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 students who may have English as a second language and the need for additional educational services regarding English language proficiency at the Academy of Dover Charter School.
All in all, I look ahead to a very busy and productive school year as I strive to meet all of these expectations.
About the Teacher
Name: Wendy P. Higgins
I am currently the Special Education Coordinator/Manager 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 20 years experience; 15 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.)
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?
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!" 
Contact the Teacher
The best time to contact me would either be between 8 and 10 am or from 3:30 to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, via (302) 674-0684, extension, #110. Please also feel free to leave a message and I will return the call at my earliest convenience.
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!