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IVY
There is something so special about meeting someone at the beginning of their journey. The passion and enthusiasm, as well as the clarity and conviction to make a difference, to learn and to be the very best that you can be. Ivy shared with us her heartfelt compassion and desire to be a special education teacher. To make a difference in peoples lives and to help give them a sense of pride and accomplishment. She is certainly someone we felt deserved to be celebrated for thinking big and following her dream.
What's Now
Taking classes and applying for courses as well as working at some programs to get experiences she can build on. The things all of us have done as get ready to set out on our journeys.
What's Next
Ivy is applying to certification courses and getting herself ready for that first professional chapter in her life. With a hand outreached to help, and one on her heart, she is ready to make a difference. Bring it on.
IVY WEARS boomboom
1. Think Big: Share your dream in 50 words or less.

My dream is to become a Special Education Teacher so

I can help individuals with mental and physical dis-

abilities to overcome their challenges and give them a

sense of pride and accomplishment.

2. What did your mom think you would be?

My mom always thought I was going to be a famous

prima ballerina like the dancers we saw dancing in

"The Nutcracker" ballet every Christmas season. She also

decided that she wanted me to become an actress. Once,

I played Ramona from a childrens book series, and I

still remember seeing her double over in laughter as I

declared that, "If I can't be a good sheep, I'm not gonna

be a sheep at all!"

3. When people say “you can’t do that”, how do you respond?

"Actually I can, thank you very much."

4. Why do you do what you do?

I have a passion to help and support individuals

with specific challenges because of the sense of

accomplishment that they give you when you help

them reach even the smallest goals. I also want to show

other students that just because someone is handicapped,

that doesn't mean they are any different on the

inside.

5. What has been the best moment and the worst moment so far?

My favorite memory was having a camper reach to hold my

hand, and smile up at me after a long week at camp

filled with screaming and flying food. She was one of

the more difficult campers as she was older than the others,

and had difficulties speaking. I'm not sure if this was due to

her Downs Syndrome, but she also had temperament issues.

Her favorite word, and one of her only words was, "NO!"

Near the end of the week, she and I had a breakthrough

after one of her fits as I got down on her level, looked in her

eyes, and asked her what she wanted. It turns out that

all she wanted was a drink of water, but she didn't

know how to get someone to understand that.

I hate to point out a "worst moment" because I believe that

even the hard times helped me grow as a camp coun-

selor, as well as helping my commitment and drive to

become a Special Ed Teacher grow stronger.

6. Going camping - five things you can’t leave behind?

Courage, patience, sense of adventure, and maybe

a knife and a box of matches might be helpful!