Cultivating the UDL Principle of “Engagement” through Vision and Imagination

Presenter Information

Tracy Hill, Florida Atlantic University

Location

Waldorf

Start

9-27-2016 9:40 AM

End

9-27-2016 10:00 AM

Abstract

Part I of the 20-minute breakout session will relate the utility and relevancy of UDL. Sometimes, educators have felt that implementation of UDL principles is a time-consuming and complicated process. Practical ideas will be offered in an attempt to allay some concerns. This will be addressed with specific scenarios of teacher and special needs student interactions. During Part II of the session, the facilitator will identify, explain and share a concrete example, in simplistic terms, describing how educators are able to ‘ (1) recruit interest and set a foundation for (2) sustaining interest and (3) self-regulation by “engaging” students through a technique utilizing visualization and imagery. She will also illustrate how this technique can be used to create a curriculum or lesson plan design.

Format

Concurrent Session

Presenter(s) Biography

Teaching, learning, and enriching the lives of others are things that inspire me. In fact, one of my goals is to set up a community based outreach and literacy center within the next five years. I am hopeful that people will become as passionate about learning as myself. May these individuals live lives filled with positivity and optimism derived from learning.

This brings me to why I am here. I was a Homemaker, a Social Security Representative as well as a Medical Transcriptionist. Yet, when I taught Adult Basic Education at Hallandale Adult Community Center I knew that my life had changed forever. I was now on par with my life’s purpose.

You see, it was my Mother who always told me that I was a Teacher at heart. Now, it took me roughly twenty-five years to figure that out! However, if you asked me today I would tell you that I feel as if I cannot breathe unless I am teaching. Every great person knows that the best teachers are students, first.

Although, I am pursuing a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction with the purpose of creating a community educational facility that best serves the literacy needs of adults, I am also answering the call to better fulfill the needs of challenged individuals by practicing disability advocacy. I have presented in forums at FAU within the past year on three occasions as a disability advocate, especially advocating for greater awareness and understanding of visually impaired students; I am now diagnosed as ‘legally’ blind, so I believe in many aspects this makes me an expert.

Moderator

Jennifer Reeves, NSU