DTN - DISABLED TEACHERS NETWORK DISABLED TEACHERS NETWORK

Strength in Numbers
Crossing Barriers, Changing Stereotypes, Promoting Positive Change
DTN Newsletter Issue No. 1 - May 2014

DTN Update
A group of educators with disabilities experienced the barriers and lack of resources available to people with disabilities in the eld of education. Then they experienced the lack of people willing to talk about it. As a result, DTN was created in 2011.

DTN Opportunities
If you have a disability, computer skills, and would like to volunteer in developing and enhancing our community forum, please send an email referencing this ad and expressing your skills and interest to: disabledteachersnetwor k@gmail.com

From our Colleagues

Why Were Critically Needed in Education by Sandy Goodwick. Page 1. Sandy Goodwick Speaks out about the need for educators with disabilities at the California Teachers Association.

Employment
Virtual English language teachers wanted for Hong Kong based provider. More information can be found at http:// disabledteachersnetwor k.weebly.com/ forum.html#/ 20130704/part-timeonlineteaching-2713289/

Research Questionnaire
Page 2. DTN is researching the experiences of educators with disabilities. Please answer the questions and send your responses to us at disabledteachersnetwor k@gmail.com

Contribute to DTN
Inspire us. Page 2. DTN publishes personal and professional creative work by educators with disabilities. Submission guidelines are available at http:// disabledteachersnetwor k.weebly.com/ enewsletter.html

From our Colleagues

Why Were Critically Needed in Education by Sandy Goodwick
I truly believe our presence facilitates the opportunity of change within society. !Its time to coexist as equals and learn from each other. !Some reasons... 1 - For kids; being exposed to someone 'different' brings the opportunity to learn how to interact in diverse situations. !We open up the subject of disability for discussion and teach how to ask questions about disability. We naturally exhibit difference and are therefore able to demonstrate that there is more to both 'us' and them.
Issue No. 1 - May 2014!

Empty Pockets 2010 David Kontra

2 - For parents; they see integration, and learn to measure peoples worth by their ability not their disability. ! 3 - For the school community; the opportunity for disability awareness discussions. Bullying is a big issue now.

4 - We move 'disability rights' discourse to a new level. !We are natural catalysts for change. 5 - For ourselves; we learn greater selfacceptance and empowerment. 6 - 'Diversity' has been cheapened, trivialized ... the "dangerous memories" of racial and ethnic pain have been suctioned out of stories. !We need to speak out about 'disability' because keeping quiet is the force that keeps people enslaved, without rights, etc. 7 - We add credibility to 'special' education; speaking out on the "medical model" inherent in 'special' education today. 8- We add to scholarly research that examines the history of disability within education. There is much prejudice. 9 - As a minority group, too many of 'us' are underemployed. We serve as role models for others who want to teach but worry they won't be accepted or allowed to work. - Sandy Goodwick
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DTN - DISABLED TEACHERS NETWORK

Employment
Diversifying the Teaching Force: Practicing What We Teach.
"I am a qualied senior mathematics teacher in a Secondary High School in Ghana. I am also physically challenged (lame right leg). There is little support for me to do my job efciently in Ghana. I have become frustrated in my effort to contribute to national development. Classrooms are difcult for me to negotiate because they are on high oors of buildings several stories high. I wish I could work for a disability friendly country." Ebenezer Nelson ebenel2010@yahoo.com ___________________________ I am working on my M.Ed in Gifted Education. The disability I contend with limits the amount of time I can work. I currently volunteer in alternative educational settings because they are willing to work around the exible schedule I require. Quite a few people with disabilities are only able to work part time, yet I have found college advisors, disability services, and most employers unable and/or unwilling to work around this reality. ___________________________ I taught in classrooms for many years and online now for many years. I am longing to go back to classroom teaching. I have MS and am looking for resources and employers who will support my quest for employment. I have graduate level education in Education, Educational Technology, Professional Writing and Psychology. Valerie Arena literarygothic@yahoo.com

Inspire Us
As educators with disabilities we become part of changing stereotypes and overcoming barriers by default. This inevitable position has a unique set of frustrations, setbacks, and triumphs. All of us have different ways of coping with these realities. The uniqueness of our personal and professional triumphs and tribulations deserve a voice. We at DTN feel it is important for us to unite through a common bond and also help inspire other people with disabilities to enter the teaching profession and the eld of education. We believe all people have the right to thrive and be the best that they can be. DTN publishes the professional and personal creative work of educators with disabilities. We publish short stories, art, poetry, lesson plans, etc. Submission guidelines are available at http:// disabledteachersnetwork.weebly.com/

Research Questionnaire
DTN is currently researching the experiences of educators with disabilities. We would appreciate your participation in our survey. All answers are anonymous and identifying information will not be shared. We appreciate your time. You can copy and paste the questions into an email and send them to us.
Crossing Barriers 2010 Anita Dallar

1) Identify one thing that can be done to motivate and inspire more people with disabilities to enter the profession of education. 2) If you could add or modify an existing service to better serve pre-service teachers with disabilities, what would that service be? 3) In your opinion, what is one thing schools and/or school districts can do to better serve educators with disabilities? 4) In your opinion, what is the main obstacle preventing people with disabilities from pursuing employment in the eld of education?
Thank you for our time. Please email your responses to disabledteachersnetwork@gmail.com
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Issue No. 1 - May 2014"

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