Susan A. MacDonald

 
   
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   Kid Quotes

When teachers get old, like over fifty-five, they're always in a bad mood.     Lindsey, age 8

 

 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
When your mom is mad at your dad, don't let her brush your hair.
Taylia, age 11
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When your dad is mad and asks you, "Do I look stupid?" don't answer him. Unknown kid

 

 

 

 


 
 

 

Professional

Southampton Schools

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Philosophy in Education

My Philosophy of Education

      My philosophy of education has always been based on teaching through discovery.  The constructivist approach views learning that is actively constructed by the learner.  As a reading teacher I know that a student cannot learn a new vocabulary word unless that word is attached to prior background knowledge.  In the constructivist approach, the leaner is never a passive participant.  The learner continually modifies what they know based on prior experience.  “I hear and I forget.  I see and I remember.  I do and I understand.” – Confucius.  I believe that the constructivist approach is essential in education because encourages “hands-on” learning where the activities and assignments are “student centered”.       

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Teacher                                                                                   Resume

I have over 15 years experience in the field of education and I am currently working in an administrative capacity as the Department Leader of Literacy (Reading) and Academic Intervention Services (AIS).  As part of my responsibilities: I research and implement programs for all students including - ESL students, Special Education students and students who require interventions such as the Orton Gillingham Wilson Reading Program, Scholastic READ 180, Reading Recovery, Leveled Literacy Intervention and many more depending on the student’s needs.  These interventions are included into the Response to Intervention (RTI) model being developed for an outcome-based curriculum.  

 I hold an SDA, SAS and SBL certification. I also hold NYS certifications in Reading and Special Education, K – 12.  My resume fully reflects my experience in education to date.  My experience and leadership roles in education currently include - Reading and Literacy, Academic Intervention Services (AIS) as well a  researching and implementing standards based programs for a diverse student body. 

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I am a member of the district Curriculum Council where curriculum and standards for grades K - 12 are written, implemented and evaluated.  Response to Intervention (RTI) is the most current mandate being worked on for implementation by the Curriculum Council members. 

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I am a member of the Committee on Special Education (CSE) where students are tested and recorded in the "IEP Direct" database.

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I am also a member of the Pupil Personal Services (PPS) team which meets weekly to discuss the appropriate academic and behavioral interventions for students in need. 

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As a district grant writer and I have been awarded grants such as the Title I (currently named the Consolidation Grant)  and the Safe and Drug Free Schools grant.  I applied for many, many grants.  I worked very hard to win a grant called the "Two way Dual Language Immersion Grant".  It was announced with very little time to do research and to comfortably submit.  I worked up until the last minute and my poor husband drove it to the Hicksville post office to have it stamped and sent on time.  I was so disappointed when I learned that the parameters of the awardees and been changed and that less than 50% of the total number of possible recipients had been eliminated.  It was a great learning experience and may possibly do my dissertation on that topic after doing all the research for the grant.

 

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Professor 

SCCC Logo

Adjunct Professor - 13 years at Suffolk County Community College (SCCC).  I have taught many courses at Suffolk County Community College.  This is an excellent two-year school.  It offers top notch courses taught by some of the best professors in their field.  This college gives students the ability to receive an excellent education at an affordable price.  All of the courses that the students take at SCCC are 100% transferable to any State University of New York School (SUNY) as well as St. Joseph's College in Patchogue.   I am currently teaching PC63 "The Exceptional Child."   This course deals with Special Education, the laws, the litigation that created the laws we have today, IDEA - PL94-142, The Americans with Disabilities Act - ADA, and the 13 disability categories outlined in Part 200 and IDEA.  Teaching at the college level is very different than being a public school teacher.  Even though I am exhausted by the end of the week, I always look forward to teaching my night class at SCCC each week.

The Exceptional Child - PC63 Honors Course - syllabus

                                  

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Guest Speaker 

Teacher Expectation - Based on the research of Carol Dweck Ph.D.

 

 

"People are always looking for the single magic bullet that will totally change everything. There is no single magic bullet."           

Temple Grandin
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Kid Quotes 

You shouldn't jump down stairs with your hands in your pockets.        Philip, age 11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You should never let your fears become the boundaries of your dreams.    Robin, age 15


 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can't catch a hard baseball in your mouth. Joseph, age 10
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When you get a bad grade in school, show it to your mom when she's on the phone.
Alyesha, age 13