Lynda Mattison -- Teacher Leader Uses SOLO
|
 |
Lynda Mattison began her teaching career in 1974 working for the Atlanta Public Schools as a high school special education teacher. Unlike some other wonderful teachers, Lynda said she was a reluctant beginner with lots of doubts about how effective or helpful she could be. Here are her inspiring thoughts... |
"I learned that teaching is about consistent learning and the number one learner is me. When my daughter, now 26, was born early, I left teaching but sought it out again at the elementary level to have a better understanding of the foundations for learning. Today, I have been teaching and coaching and jumpstarting learning for almost 30 years.
So what did I learn? Simply that every person learns in a special way. And it’s my job to jumpstart the learning process to help students express themselves and anchor their learning. My goal is to help students find their voice and actively grow their understanding of a skill or topic. What really inspires me is to watch students excitedly discover their power to apply learning for themselves.
to 
When assistive technology writing tools became available, it was love at first sight! I get the biggest kick out of hearing my students’ share their thoughts as they bypass neurological processing challenges using programs like Write:OutLoud and Co:Writer within the SOLO suite. That’s when the learning takes off and students make learning their own. I see children outside my class who don’t have much joy and have not gained confidence through their challenges like my students have done and it makes me sad, but more determined to change the system.
I look forward to the day when you don’t have to be labeled a special education teacher or IEP to work with these proven technologies and tools.
Let’s work together to keep collaborating about what works in any education setting and to continually share and inspire each other. As part of my commitment, I have written a letter to my colleagues and administrators about the effective use of assistive technologies in the general education classroom for all struggling learners.
Won’t you take two minutes now to listen to this recording; then jot down what changes or information you could share out with your peers or your community that could change a life for a struggling learner in your school? What will you do today, to make yourself a Teacher Leader? Good luck and all the best!"
This article first appeared in the February 2007 LeaderLink eNewsletter.