Hi everyone! I am a senior studying Special Education at the University of Illinois. Even though graduation is fast approaching, I am super excited to move on to the next chapter in my life and finally have my own classroom.

I am from the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago in a town called Palatine. I grew up in Arlington Heights and went to John Hersey High School. It was at Hersey that i truly found my passion for working with students with disabilities. Hersey has a very large special education program with amazing staff and resources. The opportunities I had at Hersey have had a lasting impact on me. The experiences in high school helped me find what my true calling was and for that I am greatly appreciative, thanks Hersey!

We start our student teaching placements earlier than usual which allows us to have 4 different practicum sites including our last full student teaching placement. The past 4 years have been extremely exhausting, difficult, but most importantly rewarding. The opportunities, experiences, and people I have met have been amazing. I have been able to experience and learn so much over the past 4 years.

My different practicum placements have been in a cross categorical classroom, two co-taught classrooms, a reading intervention class, and a functional life skills program. I am really looking forward to my time teaching functional academics in a high school setting this coming semester!

-Miss. F