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Dr. Amy Mathews-Perez is the Director of Special Programs in a public school in Texas. She coordinates multiple programs: Special Education, 504, Homeless, Foster Care, MTSS, and Dyslexia. Amy has a great sense of humor and loads of experience, strategies, tips, and stories to share especially about being a part of BETTER.
Your WHY
My WHY is relevant contributions and meaningful experiences that empower others to see and be the progress it takes to be a part of BETTER. I believe when (not if) we get past egos, attitudes, and comfortable perspectives, we can make choices and decisions that serve the biggest purpose: student progress. I refuse to give up on the power and value of effective communication; I refuse to give up on the impact and ability of educators and families as authentic collaborators who share the priority of a child.
Background
I started teaching Speech, Theatre, and Physical Education at a Junior high school (grades 6, 7 & 8) and went to graduate school at night and in the summers. I graduated with my Master’s in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Baylor University. I moved to South Texas where I worked at a county Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP) as the Education Coordinator before returning to my passion of serving public education, this time as an SLP in a local school district. I then continued to work as an SLP, then Lead SLP, and then a Special Education Specialist (Supervisor). It was amazing to work and serve in the district that educated me from first grade to high school graduation. I served as Principal at a Professional Development magnet campus for fine arts for 5 years. It was a blast!!!!
The picture below is of 5th graders on the USS Lexington ship in Corpus Christi, TX during one of our overnight field trips when I was their Principal.
Making Education Special for All (M.E.S.A)
M.E.S.A. means everyone is involved in either the processes of special education, 504, or any area of education. The emotions that bubble to the top when you think of something or someone special are what I want to transform public education into. Not all ooey-gooey goodness, but a sense of satisfaction, meaning, and purpose. I’ll focus on special education because that is the easiest example, but know that I believe this can be the case for all arenas of special education – for all stakeholders. https://dramyperez.com
My SPED example is this: “SPED” can evoke a sense of “extra” – extra work, time, energy, effort, paperwork, meetings, etc – all of which are true. HOWEVER – I am willing to go out on a limb and say that we all like to be treated special….I’ll even go so far as to say that we all expect to be treated special to some degree.
- Does anyone ever need a deadline extended?
- Does anyone have reminders/alarms on their phone?
- Does anyone ask a friend to remind you to do something or ask them to go somewhere with you or even for you?
- Does anyone make notes in the margin of our books or use Post-it notes?
We tend to expect these things as adults, yet we can agonize about providing these things to students who have disabilities; just a point of reflection.
Sharing Some Tips and Strategies on Being a Part of BETTER
- Know your but: What kind of but do you have? A “know but” (I know, but), a “yeah but”, (yeah, but), an “Ok but” (Ok, but), an “agree but” (I agree, but)…….learn & understand your message when your message involves your but. There is an adage that says something, like whatever comes after “but” cancels out everything that was said before the but. So, be aware & intentional about your but. Once you know your but, you can change your but…..MAYBE even remove your but and replace it with AND or SO.
- WE GO not EGO; quality progress that achieves a goal will occur more rapidly and more effectively if the focus is on WE GO not EGO.
- Be a sponge, not a spray bottle: absorb the information, and let it soak in before you spew your response; listen to verbal output, and attend to nonverbal output. Minimize distractions for yourself (resist the urge to check your phone or your watch). ASK more than you GIVE and ask more questions than advice or responses you give. Trust the power of listening.
What’s next for being a Part of BETTER
I continue to empower educators and families through speaking, training, and writing through my LLC, M.E.S.A. I’ve got my website up and I’m continuing to be guests on podcasts like yours, Barbara, which is fabulous and fierce. I’m presenting training sessions like the Recharged Family virtual bash this summer with Kyle Hill (Parents, Educators and Community), providing training at conferences and in districts as I’m invited.
I’d love opportunities to speak with district staff to empower, validate, inspire, and laugh with them to impact the future one CHOICE/STUDENT/TRUST at a time.
Contact Information for Dr. Amy Mathews-Perez
Website: dramyperez.com
Email: [email protected]
Twitter (X) @drgrowtoknow
LinkedIn: dr-amp-learn-with-me/
Bio and Journey
https://dramyperez.com/my-journey/
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I hope you enjoy the conversation with Dr. Amy Mathews-Perez and me on my virtual porch. I met Amy on Twitter (X) and asked her to co-host the #rethink_learning chat. She was amazing! Then Amy was our first guest on our podcast “Real Talk with Barbara and Nicole.” It wasn’t long that Amy and I were connecting more often. Next I’m seeing Amy everywhere and love her new website. In one of our conversations, I asked Amy to be on my show. I know you will love it. I hope you, my listeners, enjoy the podcast and check out Amy’s amazing journey on this post. Please share this podcast and the post with your friends.
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| Make sure you check out more of the Rethinking Learning podcasts and each post that the guests created. Click on this link or the logo below to list by episode, alphabetical, or reflections.
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I am a co-host of a new podcast “Real Talk with Barbara and Nicole.” Check out the episodes about Authenticity in a Polarized Society around different topics. Click on RealTalkBN or the logo below.
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I’m getting wonderful feedback on how much the information and stories in “Define Your Why” has helped them. For more information about this book, go to this page or click on the book for resources, questions, and links. |
My new book, “Grow Your Why…One Story at a Time” includes 23 stories from inspirational educators, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Go to this page or click on the book to go to Why Press Publishing for launching, details, and resources.
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