Bernadette Elwin

My path in education started when I was in high school and volunteered at a Vacation Bible School at a Navajo Indian Reservation. That experience taught me about teaching children of different cultures and sparked something in me. I originally studied journalism, but I noticed that I worked well with children and found creative ways to combine both passions. As an early childhood assistant director, I was the one doing the school newspaper and the school calendar, putting my journalism skills to good use. I still use those writing skills today when I'm writing IEPs for my students. I've been in my field for 20 years, with two of those years teaching special education. I'm certified to teach early childhood special education, birth to grade 3, and I've worked with students on the autism spectrum and students with learning disabilities. What makes me passionate about special education is the joy and opportunity to help students meet their potential and showing them there are many other ways they can do it, just tailoring my instruction to their needs. Right now, I'm taking a break from teaching and thinking about doing more behind-the-scenes background work and office time. I see myself moving into a leadership position in the future.