“Why did you choose Deaf Education?” is the second most-asked question behind “what made you decide to go back to school?” Well I have always loved education, and years ago, I almost went back to school to be a teacher. The thing that stopped me however was the system of it all in terms of how students were being taught. I thought then that my personal beliefs would cause me to constantly clash with what was being taught in the classroom, so I continued to be a stay-mom.
When the time came for me to get back in the game, I was again drawn to education, but I still knew the “traditional” teacher role would not be for me. I wanted something that was different, though I know that I will still be a teacher in the traditional sense. Specializing in Deaf Education provides me a challenge to keep me focused. It was like it just popped in my mind, but I had spent many days and nights asking for guidance and then it came.
After receiving my B.A., it is my plan to enroll in the graduate program to receive my M.A., and though I initially plan to step into the classroom for a few years, my ultimate goal is to start a company that specializes in Early-Intervention services in underserved areas at home and abroad.
Tagged as:
choosing a major,
Deaf Education,
Education
Hello all–Happy Friday! The good thing about being in a challenging, fast-paced program is that the weeks fly by! This weekend is going to be particularly awesome in my household come Sunday evening—it’s the Oscars! My roommate and I are both movie buffs so we’re scrambling to watch all of the Best Pic nominees before the big day. I’m not a huge Woody Allen fan, but so far Midnight in Paris has been my favorite. We’ll see! (Although… I’m bad luck lately. I was rooting for the Pats last week. So… sorry if I just doomed you, Woody.)
For as much as I love having the opportunity to spread my wings and live independently in St. Louis while my loved ones are home in Maine, it can also be really hard sometimes. Something that does not make things easier is the hour time change. It doesn’t seem like a big deal, but my mom always forgets and texts me when she gets up in the morning, because at home we get up around the same time. I’m the twenty-first century girl who sleeps with her cell phone by her head, so when I occasionally forget to turn the sound off… I get a five or six AM wake up call. Or then there’s the flip side, when I go to Skype my boyfriend back home in Maine before bed. If I’m getting into bed around 10:30 or so, it’s 11:30 his time, and he’s wiped. It’s crazy how one little hour can mess with sleep schedules and daily routines so much!
It’s all about adapting though, because this transition is SO worth it. I love my life here in the Lou! I love being independent, I love being in a new place, I love that I’ve made a smart career choice, and I love making new friends with similar interests. I had job offers last year and I had other graduate programs that I was looking at… but coming to Fontbonne ended up being a no brainer. For anybody out there who is reading this and is contemplating the SLP graduate program… it’s a really, really well-rounded program where you will learn the ins and the outs of being a great clinician. And, added bonus, there is funding available for people interested in committing to specific areas of professional development such as deafness, AAC, becoming a graduate assistant, or working in the developmental language group. I’m a deaf emphasis scholar, which is an awesome opportunity — especially in St. Louis. There are lots of renowned schools for the deaf here, and I can’t wait to experience one or two out on my practicum rotations in the coming year.
Okay, I’m off! Happy weekending ☺
Tagged as:
CDDE,
Deaf Education,
graduate school,
SLP
Hello Fontbonne friends, in St. Louis and beyond!
I’m new to the blog, so let me introduce myself. My name is Meredith and I’m a first year graduate student studying speech-language pathology with an emphasis in deafness. When I told the girls in my program that I’m taking up blogging with Fontbonne, they all stopped what they were doing and looked at me like I had two heads. Time is kind of at a premium in our program; in fact, I’m currently taking a break from reviewing client files and writing up the rationale for my treatment methods this semester… And it’s a Friday night. *sigh* Blogging about my week is a welcome distraction!
Back to my story: I’m a transplant not only to STL but to the entire midwest region. I’d never lived outside of New England up until about 6 months ago (go Patriots!). I packed up everything I could fit into my car last August and drove 24 hours straight so I could relocate to St. Louis with nobody but me, myself, and I. This whole experience is proving to be quite the little adventure, and I’m looking forward to sharing the trials and triumphs with you all.
Okay… now back to work I go!
Tagged as:
CDDE,
Deaf Education,
graduate programs,
St. Louis
