Meet Mrs. Grizzle
Hello!! My name is Megan Lawson Grizzle. I live in Ashland, KY. I graduated from EKU in May of 2004 with a Bachelor of Science and then graduated in 2009 with a Master of Science in Education. I am in the MSD and LBD certification programs to obtain my Rank 1.
I have been teaching at Russell Primary School in the Russell Independent School district for 17 years. I taught Kindergarten for 13 years then taught preschool for two years. During the two years that I taught preschool, I had several students with moderate and severe disabilities. I discovered I loved working with these kiddos. This prompted me to return to EKU to earn my Rank I in Special Education (MSD/LBD). This will be my second year as a Primary Special Education. It has been my favorite teaching “gig”. Although, I absolutely loved teaching Kindergarten too.
My husband, Jeremy, is also a teacher in the Russell Independent School district. He teaches art at the intermediate school and is the middle school and Junior Varsity girls’ soccer coach. We have two children. Our daughter is a Sophomore at Russell High School and our son is an eighth grader at Russell Middle School. We are also the founders/president of River Cities Soccer Club. We love to travel!! Florida (Saint Augustine, Madeira Beach, and the Walt Disney World resort) is our favorite destination!! We also have six dachshunds who rule our house!!
This school year will be my second year teaching students with moderate to severe disabilities (excluding the two years when I taught preschool). I am a huge fan of the Attainment Company!! I used the Hands-On Math for Early Numeracy Skills curriculum last year. I plan to use it again and my district also purchased the Early Literacy Skills Builder for the upcoming school year. I am excited to try it. I also love using Carol Gray social stories. The use of visual schedules, structured work systems, and first/then boards have been game changers for my kiddos too.Philosophy of Teaching/Teaching Content
I believe all students can learn. We all learn differently as we all have unique strengths, interests, and learning preferences. Because we, as humans, our unique individuals we have much to learn from each other. Inclusion benefits ALL students as we learn from our peers. Special Education is not a place but rather a resource and support to help students reach their maximum potential.
I can use the Universal Design for Learning in my teaching to include students with moderate to severe disabilities in the general education classroom by providing appropriate modifications and accommodations so all students can access the general education curriculum. I can also provide different opportunities to demonstrate content knowledge so all students can access the general education curriculum. I can incorporate topics of interest while teaching content and skills so all students can access the general education curriculum.
Additionally, co-teaching is when a general education teacher and special education teacher plan lessons and then they teach a content area together. This will provide support and access to the general education curriculum for all students in the general education environment.
Least Dangerous Assumption is a concept that is so important to students with moderate to severe disabilities because students can be viewed as more different from their peers than like their peers. Because of this, sometimes opportunities are not initially given to them. All students need to be given opportunities especially in areas of high interest. None of us ever know our capabilities until we tried!! We were all new once!! We ALL need to be advocates!!
Plan for Using Technology in the Classroom and Communication with Families
Technology can support the learning for students with moderate to severe disabilities. Appropriate technology is selected for specific students based on their individual preferences and needs. Assistive technology promotes independence and helps provide access in the home, school, and community. AAC can be a game-changer for many students as it provides a way for a student to communicate. Communication is a powerful key that unlocks so many doors!! Google Classroom is another technology platform that is accessible, provides opportunities for differentiation, provides organization, promotes collaboration, and building a classroom community. Additionally, the app or extension, Kami, is a wonderful resource for Special Education as it can make worksheets an interactive experience for students.
I plan to use the following types of technology in my classroom:
- Augmented Reality
- Stop Motion Animation in the Classroom
- Virtual Reality
- BIGmack
- Compartalized Communicators
- Core Vocabulary
- LAMP Words for Life
- Proloquo2Go
- ABCya!
- BrainPOP Jr.
- Edpuzzle
- Edmentum- ReadingEggs
- Flipgrid
- Kami
- Prezi
- Starfall
- ClassDojo
- Blog
- Google Classroom (announcements & private messenger)
- Phone Calls
- Remind
- Weekly Newsletters
- Positioning Devices
- Pointing Devices
- Screen Readers
- Power Lift
