My name is Terri Edinburgh. I love to learn (one never gets too old to learn); I love to read, and I love to write. It is my passion for writing, and a challenge to do something about the perceptions of Special Education teachers and students with severe disabilities that led to the creation of SpecialEdSpeaks way back in 2011.
I come to you with over 20 years of teaching experience. Even after all of these years, I still love what I do; I still have a passion for teaching. Over the years, my students and their parents have brought out the best in me and they challenged the worst in me. I thrived on those challenges, and because I did, I am a better teacher, a better person. My educational experiences, personal experiences, and on the job training have allowed me to hone my craft and become the Special Education teacher I am today.
My educational experiences include a Bachelor of Science Degree in Rehabilitation Therapy from California State University of Sacramento (CSUS); Level I Education Specialist Instruction Credential in Moderate/Severe Disabilities from CSUS; Clear Level II Education Specialist Instruction Credential in Moderate/Severe Disabilities from National University; Masters of Arts in Teaching Specialization in Special Education; Cross-cultural Language and Academic Development (CLAD) Certification from San Diego State University; and a Masters of Arts in Educational Administration.
I cannot say that my personal experiences stem from raising a child of my own that has a disability. I cannot say that a true understanding of what my student’s parents have to deal with came from working with kids with disabilities when I was in the sixth grade, or from working the Special Olympics while I was in college. No, my real experiences came from taking care of my Mom, who suffered from Lou Gherig’s Disease. We were a typical two parent family with full time jobs, four children, and long, late days full of sports, church activities, homework and more. As my Mom’s disease progressed, eventually becoming confined to a wheelchair, I was responsible for doctor’s appointments, physical therapy sessions, occupational therapy sessions, and pool therapy sessions, all after work. I remember thinking, after a therapy session as I was getting my Mom out of her wheelchair and into the car, “This is just a smidgen of what my student’s parents deal with!!!” Those experiences with my Mom changed my whole perspective as a teacher. And that change was for the better.
My training includes certification as an International Trainer in the M.O.V.E. Program (MIT); Certification in the Social Communication, Emotional Regulation and Transactional Support (S.C.E.R.T.S.) Program; training in Applied Behavioral Analysis, Autism, communication strategies, proper feeding techniques, and sooooo much more.
On a personal note, I am a Child of God first, a wife, a mother of two young men and two young women and my adopted sons and daughters, a grandmother of 10, and a teacher of many. In addition to reading and writing, I love to watch a great football/basketball game, catch a good movie with my hubby, engage with my kids, have fun with my grandkids, and keep busy with my arts and crafts. I love to stay active riding my bike, playing tennis, and running around with my Yorkie.
I will end with my favorite scripture,
“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31