Sandra Greenman
TSVI, Retired working part time
Texas (Dallas area)
I serve mostly school-aged students, K-12 mostly low vision.
I have not seen a PD on literacy in a long time. I was excited to take this opportunity to update my knowledge and skills. The changes in technology are the hardest for me to manage.
Hello Melanie,
I just visited Alabama last year for the “Getting in Touch with Literacy Conference,” and it was a great experience. I agree with the wide range of levels, needs and skills of students. I have a Kindergarten student learning braille and keyboarding, and finger isolation is crucial for both. However, I have heard from our OTs that typically developing Kindergarteners don’t yet have finger isolation either! However, for our students, this is something we have to keep trying…An OT suggested burying things in a container of beans, tucking toys away in Theraputty, and leaving fingerprints (for LV students). However, I have another Kindergartener that I have to be careful with, as she puts everything in her mouth.
Hello Sandra,
I agree with you that the technologies are the most challenging for me to keep up with as well because they change so quickly! In my state we had to take training based on the READ Act which was actually super helpful in teaching reading/braille.
I would like to know more about what is happening in other states!
Hi Karla, your name sounds familiar. Did you go through the SFA program? It is great to see that you have a background in Early Childhood Education. I hope to get some new ideas for literacy from these sessions.
Hey Sandra,
I feel the same way, I am super excited for this PD. I also struggle with how fast technology changes.
Casey, I’m sure it is wonderful working for the school of the Blind. I would love to hear ways that you help meet your student’s needs. I struggle at times making fun exciting ways to reach my students. I’m excited to hear from you and your ideas this course.
I have never used the Animal Watch VI graphics app. How do you use the curriculum in your daily routine? Did you district buy it?
Can you elaborate on the READ Act? I’m a TVI in New Mexico and very curious what nearby states are using for teaching reading/braille? Our teachers are being trained in our district on LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling). I have used the materials in the APH quota funds but curious other resources.
I currently work in a district that spans multiple villages and towns. Many villages don’t have sidewalks or have limited county transportation. O&M needs to transport the students to the nearby cities to teach O&M skills. This has been very challenging for our department of two.
HI Sandra,
YES! I actually tried to reach out to you to let you know that I had indeed passed my Braille exam—1 year after the class. I was too nervous to take it. I actually went back and redid all the lessons to assure myself success. I even went on to get my Master’s degree in Special Education with the concentration in Visual Impairment. Allison, Sean, Roxi and myself actually graduated in December of 2025. - the only 4 from Crickets Group that summer of 2023…Glad to see you are here!
My name is Tabatha Brown. I am a TVI living currently in Memphis, TN. I have been a TVI since 2016. I currently teach remotely, serving students in TN and VA. I have worked wiht students from preschool through post high school. Currently my caseload is middle and high school students.
I am excited to connect with other professionals this summer and explore tactile literacy. Growing up a braille reader, I am very familiar with tactile literacy. I’d like to learn more strategies for teaching.
I appologize if there are errors. I am having a difficult time navigating the discussion board with JAWS. If anyone has suggestions, I’d be happy.
Hello Alison,
Not exactly. Students are seen the length of one of their class periods unless they have block scheduling and then it is half. This is just the consulting/direct instruction with the student. Consulting with staff is additional time. Yes, it can be challenging depending on direct service and distance between schools.
To make this more relevant to the topic, I have a student using the Monarch and others using other tactile graphics. It will be interesting to learn how best to teach these different platforms for the students to get the most out of the tactile graphics.
My name is Mackenzie Colglazier. I work at the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. I am a Teacher’s Assistant with Assistive Technology and Braille. I live in Indiana. I am looking forward to learning more about tactilegraphics and all of the otherthings tth course has tooffer. I am also a grad student and I am working onmy TVI license.
Hello,
My name is Andrea Amestoy, and I was born and live in Boise, Idaho. I was a pediatric and NICU nurse for many years and became a dual TVI/COMS after two of my three kids were diagnosed with Usher’s Syndrome. I have been working in this field for over 12 years and have worked with birth-to-three early intervention. I love it! I am excited to learn anything and all about tactile literacy. I have a lot of kids on my caseload who have limited mobility, multiple disabilities, etc. and am excited to learn additional modalities for literacy for them.
Andrea Amestoy
Laura McGookin
Teacher for Students with Visual Impairments
Virginia
I have students pre-K to high school. I work with students who are in the beginning stages of braille reading to learners who are using braille devices in combination with other assistive technology devices to do classwork. I also work with students who have low vision who are using tablets and touch screen laptops with differing levels of screen support. I am looking forward to learning more about braille literacy development as I work with two students who are emerging braille readers.
Sandra - I agree - I have been working in this field for a long time. It is wonderful to see technology catch up for our population of students but it is a lot to keep up with for us as teachers. I get to work with AT specialists during collaborative lessons and this has been so helpful!
Andrea - I love early intervention as well! I have a couple pre-k students on my caseload this year and I enjoy working in that environment so much!
My Name is Susan. I am a TBVI for a small co-op in the mid west of Minnesota. I am also an ECSE and work with our level 3-4 kids at our co-op. I wear a lot of hats, which I enjoy, but due to the small number of students that have VI services I always feel behind the 8 ball which is why I take these summer courses. The majority of my VI services are for students with CVI, with a few low vision peanuts sprinkled in there. I am excited to continue to learn and hang out with like minded individuals.