VIDBE-Q Volume 66 Issue 1
committed to seeing that all students succeed. Allied Instructional Services, unlike
typical staffing companies, has a structured support system in place that benefits
both the service providers and the schools and agencies that AIS serves. The
support system not only gives the providers ongoing continuing education
opportunities specific to their service area but also a tier of individuals to go to for
support and collaboration. This structure also gives each of the school districts and
agencies it serves additional contacts within the company that are knowledgeable
in their area of the service provision.
In addition to providing instructional services, AIS works diligently to
promote awareness of the careers in special education in which there is a critical
needs shortage of professionals. The AIS teams are constantly thinking of ways to
promote the fields and encourage others to spread the word.
Karen Walker states, "People can't go into a field that they don't even know
exists. I am so glad that I grew up near the Virginia Department for the Blind and
Visually Impaired that enabled me to become aware of my profession at a young
age allowing me to find and follow my passion. It is such a rewarding and fun job.
Most people do not even realize there are professions dedicated to teaching only
the blind and/or deaf. One can be down on the floor trying to get a blind child to
take his first step in the morning and then be teaching someone braille or how to
cross intersections with a cane after lunch".
