VIDBE-Q 2026 Volume 71 Issue 1
As with any journey that involves significant change, my experience in the
Shawnee State program came with its share of challenges. Returning to school
after many years brought moments of self-doubt and times when balancing family,
work, and academic responsibilities felt particularly demanding. However, each
challenge was met with practical solutions and strong support from peers and
mentors within the program. The instructors were fantastic to work with, always
ready to help and flexible when life interfered. I'll never forget when Dr. Karen
Koehler, the head of the program, showed incredible understanding, when I had to
text her during an exam to let her know I needed to take my daughter to the
emergency room. Throughout the experience, I never felt like I couldn't manage
work, school, and life all at once. Despite the rigorous workload, everything
always felt manageable.
Current Professional Role and Student Impact
Today, I proudly serve in a dual role in southwestern Ohio—working both as
a Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and as a Teacher of Students with
Visual Impairments. In my itinerant role, I now serve nine school districts, working
with an incredibly diverse range of students. Each district, every classroom, and
every unique interaction reinforces my belief in the power of access for each
student. I am currently working with an elementary-aged student who recently
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