Student Corner

By Nicole Kramer, DVI Student Ambassador       

As we all know, there is an enormous demand for teachers of students with visual impairments.  So the question is; how do we as professionals and teacher candidates fulfill this demand?  At Kutztown University, we started at the grassroots level.  We worked together as a team with a common interest being the children.  In our Materials and Methods of Instruction class, we had to fulfill a requirement to speak in front of a group about the visual impairments program, the enormous demand for teachers, and most of all, the students that need teachers who specialize in visual impairments.  For some students, this led to an invitation to teach the visual impairments section in Introduction to Special Education classes.  They saw exhilarant and inspiring peers standing in front of them.  We found this to be very successful and many students were intrigued with the information that was provided to them by their peers.  The problem that we encountered was that many students were already too far into their major to make the switch. 

            We needed to find a way to recruit students before their Sophomore and Junior year.  It was decided that a reality video of what it is like to be a student in the program for visual impairments at Kutztown University be made.  This was a way to provide the public with a first hand look at our program.  I presented our video at the CEC conference last April in Seattle on recruiting students.  Over time, we have been making additions to the video.  If someone is interested in enrolling at Kutztown University and might be interested in being a teacher, we can send this video to them in hopes of grabbing their attention.  To target students who are already at Kutztown University, we held an ongoing workshop where people could casually walk into the classroom to see and use the technology, the books, and talk to students in the VI program.  Just by having a simple workshop, we were able to recruit a few people into the program.  Other students in the vision program continue to visit classrooms on campus.  We need everyone in this profession to join hands and continue to work together to solve the teacher shortage.   

            Part of professionalism is being a part of professional groups.  We find that student rates are very low.  Some teachers in the Education Department have made it mandatory to join a professional group.  What is a professional group?  A professional group consists of teachers, colleagues, and students working toward the same goal. One of the goals for DVI is to recruit dedicated teachers for students with visual impairments.  Many Kutztown students are easily recognized at conferences as volunteers and presenters because of their ongoing involvement.  This year, we have 20 students going to New Orleans in April to the CEC conference and expo.  I think that this is an astounding number and proves the dedication and determination of Dr. David Ross’s students.  Many of us have taken on the responsibility of being involved and putting ourselves out there for people to see and talk to.  The question now is; how do we make this spread like wild fire?  I am challenging all of you to come forward with ideas and inspirations to make this nationwide shortage a thing of the past!