Teachers Who Believe In Our Mission Support Students In and Out of The Classroom

Monday, May 17, 2021

All of our teachers understand that when it comes to Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), the most important part is the Individualized component. That is exactly what Alyssa Szpalik and Shannon Cole, 2nd grade intervention specialists at Julie Billiart School Akron, really feels sets JB apart. Alyssa has been involved with JB for the past 3 years and Shannon has been with us for the past 2 and a half. They truly embody what it means to be part of the JB community and that impacts the way they teach and how their students continue to grow.

What makes you passionate about special education?

Alyssa: For me, I always wanted to find a place and be a part of something where I can really help meet the needs of the students. I’ve worked in both the general education and special education settings and I really enjoy being able to advocate for our kids and truly make an impact.

Shannon: When I was younger I knew I always wanted to be a teacher. When I was doing work study in high school, I was given the opportunity to shadow the “transition-to-work” group and it clicked. To this day I still go back and visit and spend time with them.

In addition to the basic curriculum, what skills do you feel are important to focus on?

Alyssa: We find it really important to teach our students to advocate for themselves. We want to encourage them to feel, process, and express their emotions in a healthy way. It’s a life skill that all students should continue to learn as they grow. The earlier start, the better.

Shannon: Going from 2nd grade to 3rd grade is a big jump for most kids, so throughout the year we work to incorporate responsibility and independence into our lessons. We encourage our students to take responsibility for their work and really try to work through problems independently.

How would you describe your second-grade class?

Alyssa & Shannon: They are all so fun and silly. They have such unique personalities and they make teaching fun. You can also see that they truly care about their classmates and everyone in the school. They support each other and are extremely kind and caring.

What are your favorite activities and lessons to do in 2nd grade?

Alyssa: For me, it’s science hands down! With science, we get to move around and really bring a lesson to life. When we studied magnets, the kids got to walk around and see what magnets stick to and what surfaces. It also pushes our kids outside of their comfort zones just a little. Some of them have sensory issues so they might not be as excited to touch things like slime at first, but then they open up and have a great time.

Shannon: We focus a lot on repetition in our class in order to help our students remember things in math, and to do this we incorporate songs. For example, in our morning meeting, we have been singing songs about fractions and money to help them understand the concepts. It’s a fun activity that gets them involved in their learning but it’s still fun and doesn’t feel like work.

Speed Round!

Alyssa

• Favorite Food? Tacos

• Favorite Game/Hobby? Kickboxing

• Favorite color? Purple

• Favorite thing about JB? The overarching sense of community. From the teachers and students to the parents and families - we are all just one big supportive family.

Shannon

• Favorite Food? Mashed Potatoes

• Favorite Game/Hobby? Riding bikes with my daughter

• Favorite color? Purple

• Favorite thing about JB? The individualized approach we offer. Every student who comes through is unique and our approach to supporting them and educating them is just as personalized.

Any final thoughts on what makes Julie Billiart Schools special?

Alyssa: JB is a place where everyone belongs and is extremely loved. They come here to learn and grow - not just on paper but also socially and in life in general. The kids leave here proud of who they are and what they have accomplished.

Shannon: Students at JB are all different. There really isn’t a norm they have to fit into to feel accepted. They can be who they are, with all of their little quirks and everything that makes them unique, without fear of being judged.

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