Partnerships Enrich Special Ed Endorsement Program

Candidates that choose Willamette's Graduate School of Education for their SPED endorsement receive not only the benefit of competent faculty and extensive field experiences, but access to partnership relationships that provide opportunities for interaction outside the regular classroom.

Meet the WALIs

The Willamette Arts and Internship (WALIs) are comprised of students from the Salem Keizer School District’s Tech Prep Academy Alternative High School. These dynamic young people are becoming a vital part of the Graduate School of Education, where they are mentored by MAT candidates and advisors Kathy Martin and Robin Fromherz.  WALI was formed two years ago to provide Tech Prep students an inspiring, hand-on look into the lives of teachers. A partnership was formed between Tech Prep, Willamette GSE and Lamb Elementary School, and WALI students began to meet on the Willamette campus to study how to excite young children to want to read. Once a week the WALIs travel to Lamb Elementary School to tutor children who have difficulty with reading. 

This year the WALIs helped the Lamb children write their own books, assisted at the Lamb Literacy night, and worked with Reading for All to supply books for every child free of charge. WALI participants spoke, showed slide and discussed their activities at the Oregon reading Association yearly conference, the Ceazar Chevez conference at Western Oregon University and at the No Child Left Behind Conference in Salem. 

GSE is proud of these young people and pleased to house their activities this summer, during which the students will assist during the Special Arts and Literacy Summer Day Camp for children with Special Needs. 

Special Arts and Literacy Summer Project

Thanks to a Hewlitt grant, the GSE is sponsoring a Special Arts and Literacy Summer project.  Area students in grades 4-High School who are on IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) are invited to a week long arts and literacy connection to learn how to write poetry, dance, make puppets come alive and sing their story through opera.  Local artists including Rainbow Dance Troupe, Tears of Joy Puppet Theatre , Rebecca Fromherz, soprano, and many visual artists and members of the Oregon Writing Project will share their talents and teaching with the students.   Teachers are invited to attend and may earn continuing education graduate credits.

Oregon Easter Seal Representatives Share with SPED Endorsement Candidates

Oregon Easter Seals Poster Child,Isabella Trent and her mother recently gave GSE Special Education endorsement candidates a special, personal look at the the educational needs of students with physical disabilities.  The two shared Isabella’s story and suggested constructive ways to make classroom teaching work for all students. Isabella is one special lady – a talented author, singer and actor.  She will participate this summer in the Special Arts and Literacy Program to share her wealth of information and amazing spirit.