New Face in the Special Education Department

"The faculty and staff are so welcoming," says Susan Young, the new special education teacher at Jamesville-DeWitt High School.

Ms. Young started her career at Le Moyne College, where she majored in special education and psychology. After college, she took a position as a special education teacher at Oswego High School where she worked for seven years.

She next took a position at OCM BOCES where she became a transitions co-ordinator. For this job, Ms. Young helped people with special needs plan their lives after high school. She made plans for jobs, apartments and college. She also presented training regarding these transitions to teachers, parents, and community members. Her territory included all of the secondary BOCES programs in Onondaga and Cortland County. Ms. Young also visited peoples' homes.

After two years at this position, she came to J-DHS. She made the switch because she knew that J-DHS was a good school district. And it is close to home and convenient. She was also excited to be back in the classroom again. She wanted to get closely connected with students again. Ms. Young got into teaching special education because she has always been drawn to working with people with disabilities. Ms. Young says, "I love the students' motivation and energy."

Ms. Young says, "I knew that I could make a difference in the students lives."