Three years ago I signed up to complete a masters program through the University of British Columbia in Special Education. I wondered if I could handle the work load, and if it would be difficult to balance studying with work, family, and friends. Little did I know what a rich, rewarding experience it would be. I discovered that when you are passionate about what you are learning, you experience a drive that motivates and pushes you far beyond what you thought you were capable of. Now, three years later, I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to learn about the field of Special Education from the gifted UBC teachers alongside a wonderful team of talented classmates.
"Who dares to teach must never cease to learn." -
John Cotton Dana
This portfolio represents the culmination of my work in Special Education courses over the last three years. I have chosen the theme of baseball to tie my portfolio together. Baseball has always been a big part of my life. Having played ball for 43 years and coached for at least 20 years, I have experienced many of the lessons baseball has to offer. Perseverance, risk taking, the value of practice, knowing your strengths, working on your weaknesses, and most importantly the value of teamwork are just a few of the lessons learned in baseball that apply to learning in life.
Philosophy. I believe everyone has something to offer and just as a coach does in baseball, it is my job to look for and nurture my students' strengths while providing positive rewarding opportunities to work on challenges.
Included in this portfolio are three goals I worked towards while completed my masters degree. Each goal is accompanied by examples of my attempts to connect theory, research and best practice gleaned from a variety of courses, to classroom applications. This portfolio also includes a list of courses, a sample cover letter, a resume, an annotated reference, future directions, and a list of people I would like to thank.
I invite you to look through my portfolio and view some of the lessons I have learned on this journey of growth and discovery.