Early Educational and Higher Education Curriculum Vitae:Five Room School. What is Five Room School?
I develop curriculum and educational strategies for developmentally disabled children and adults, and their families, using community-based & life-skills based approaches and teaching Pivotal Response Training approaches to others to cement the learning process in a multi-sensory way.
I have seven years experience parenting children with special needs, eager and ready to serve and work with families regarding their loved ones with disabilities. Experience creating effective approaches to community and faith-based relationships that demonstrate effectiveness in conceptualizing, planning and implementing programs and activities. Development of relationships in the community and development of inclusive ministries.
As the Mother of three adopted children, one almost 9 with Autism/DD/Mood Disorder, one, the oldest, 10 with Developmental Delay and PTSD due to early trauma, and one who is 8 and is academically and socially gifted - adopted in 2005, 2002, and 2001, I am experienced with teaching the daily social, visual, and hidden relational curriculum around us, and dealing with emotional and developmental issues with both typical and atypical children.
The Five Room School approach is hands-on and sensory-oriented. Because it is, it intrinsically teaches about self, world, and relationship. You will notice that it is based in faith and community, and that there are five parts to the educational approach. Thus, Five Room School!
As an experienced parent, a pastor, and an educator, I have directed this approach in churches and in the family. It fosters inclusiveness in congregations and community for persons with disabilities, and for congruent ministry with and by persons both typical and non-typical. It fosters a way for all people to use their God-given gifts!
Other experience:
1998 Christian Education Coordinator, Hope Lutheran Church Neighborhood Ministry Program, in coordination with the inner-city Africentric Personal Development Shop’s After School Program located at Hope Lutheran Church, Columbus, OH. I offered the Christian art, outdoor education, faith component during the fall of 1998 to children ages 3 through 12, as an extension of the church’s Neighborhood Ministry Program.
1997 Clinical Pastoral Education - Ohio State University Medical Center and James Cancer Hospital - One 400-hour, ten week unit of CPE, with primary responsibilities in oncology and emergency room.
1993-94 Assisted in caring for terminally ill grandparent at home.
1988-92 Resurrection Lutheran Church – Christian Education Coordinator / Sunday School Superintendent, and Social Concerns Coordinator. Volunteer Church Council position for Sunday School. Taught Sunday School, School, organized programs, and taught VBS classes. Weekly group leadership of children's worship, coordination of curriculum, special activities, and staff. Education on outdoors social concerns / ethics.
Education and Certification
March 2008 Currently undertaking public school credential for grades P-3 with Intervention Specialist through Capital University.
Dec. 14, 2007 Admitted for Master’s In Education, Natural Science and Environmental Education, Hamline University, St. Paul, MN to begin by distance Summer 2008; and for a K-12 and middle childhood science/math credential in Columbus, OH.
Fall 1998 - Spring 2006 Trinity Lutheran Seminary Master of Sacred Theology student, which began concurrently with Master of Divinity. Finished course work for this second degree with Trinity from Wisconsin and Washington. Area: Pastoral Theology; Focus: Pastoral Care and Counseling; Specializations: Family Ministry. Thesis topic: "Inclusiveness for Persons with Disabilities in the Congregation and Community." Graduation Date was: June 3, 2006! This second theological degree is earned and practical. The degree combined with eight years experience in parish ministry and community Christian institutions helpful. Experience in cross cultural work and awareness of inter-religious context.
I have seven years experience in parenting children with special needs, dealing with international and adoptive concerns, and advocating for children’s needs and inclusiveness in community activities. Eager to include children and adults in outdoor, hands-on, and community education.
July 1995- Dec. 10, 1999 Trinity Lutheran Seminary Master of Divinity student, completed the M.Div. degree and was ordained five days later. Participated in the typical four-year pastoral preparation program. I continued independent study of Spanish by taking the course “Spanish For Ministry.” Designed and carried out a study-in-context independent course for interim term with a Hispanic congregation in San Diego, CA during December 1996. Participated in a group independent study in Oral Interpretation, and have completed independent studies in Gerontology/Terminal Illness, in Sexuality and Relationship Counseling, and Pastoral Counseling for and Pastoral Theology in Addictions and Recovery. Certificates for successful completion of Internship and one 400-unit of CPE.
1995 Bachelor's Degree in Behavioral Science, concentration in Psychology and Human Development, University of La Verne. Internship and Senior Project - Preschool Children, Stress, and Play. Special Independent Studies topics in: Educational Psychology, Dynamics of Leadership, Counseling for Children, Family Systems and Counseling, Addiction and Recovery, and Adoption. Read widely. Finished Senior project research paper, 55 pages.
Community and Stewardship Activities
2007- 4-H Certified Group Leader. Our 4-H club is “Hearth, Land and Sky.”
2006- Special services and community curriculum development for mild to moderately disabled persons.
2006- Member, National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
2005- Member, Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation (CABF)
2000-2002 Board Member, Columbia County Crisis Pregnancy Center; Rio, WI library and schools volunteer.
1998-2000 Holt International Children’s Services, Sponsor of special needs children from Ecuador and China.
1998-99 Worship Assistant, Adult Bible Class Leadership, Christ Lutheran Church, Bexley, OH.
1995-97, 1998-99 Student Coordinator, Interfaith Hospitality Network serving IHN, Christ Lutheran Church, Bexley, OH in teamwork with Trinity Lutheran Seminary.
1995 Stage Hand and Publicity Assistant, Trinity Lutheran Seminary Theater.
1991-95 Library and tutoring volunteer, in Coronado, California.
1991-92 Lay Delegate, Coronado Council of Churches.
1968-1995 Caring for children as babysitter in my home or for neighborhood children in their homes.
Hobbies Family activities, children’s books, art, music, day hiking, bicycling, walking, cross-country skiing, reading, sewing & creative writing, foreign language fluency. Cultural interests: China, Scotland, Eastern Europe, and Germany. I very much enjoy travel to visit family in San Diego, CA, and Wisconsin.
