In 1966 I became a Water Safety Instructor (WSI) for the American Red Cross, followed by becoming an Adapted Aquatics Instructor and a Water Safety and Adapted Aquatics Instructor Trainer. Throughout those years I taught a variety of challenged students. But it wasn't until later in my teaching history that I understood what impact we could make on a special audience. In 1995 I was introduced to a class of pre-school children with autism. Soon after I created a special needs course and from that time I have focused my personal growth to learn the most effective methods of helping non-typical students learn.

Community Hero Award, August 2009