Contributors
This blog is written/edited by SpecialQuest community members and does not necessarily reflect the perspectives of SpecialQuest Birth-Five or funders.
Emma Fialka-Feldman
Emma Fialka-Feldman is a student at Mount Holyoke College (MHC) studying Critical Social Thought and Early-Childhood education. Recently she received the MHC Leadership Award for her work in bringing the topic of disability and inclusion into the campus conversation and lecture series.She writes and speaks on topics including the relationship between siblings who have a brother or sister with a disability, the use of the r-word (retard), and the importance of inclusive education. Her writings have been published in numerous newsletters and two publications: The Sibling Slam Book: What it’s really like to have a brother or sister with a disability (edited by Don Meyer) and Letters from Young Activists (by d. Berger, C. Boudin & K. Farrow). Currently she is studying education in Chile.
Madison McKnight
Madison McKnight is a 4th year student at Oklahoma State University majoring in Human Development and Family Science with an option in Early Childhood Education. She plans to graduate in May 2011 and will begin her teaching career in a suburban Oklahoma town teaching 2nd grade. After a few years of teaching experience, she hopes to attend graduate school to obtain a Master’s Degree in Administration and eventually become a Principal. Madison has always loved working with children and looks forward to the coming years after graduation!
Deborah Conn
Deborah Conn has over 30 years of experience in early care and education as a teacher, administrator, and a training and technical assistance provider. Under her leadership in 1989, CAC Head Start of Santa Barbara County was the first Head Start program in Region IX authorized to operate inclusion classrooms. She is a former SpecialQuest staff member and currently works for the National Head Start Family Literacy Center at Sonoma State University.
Tina Macaulay
Tina Macaulay is an Early Childhood Educator with a special needs diploma, from British Columbia, Canada. Currently, she is completing a Degree in Child and Youth Care, and hopes to have her course work finished by August 2010. She has eight years experience working in inclusive childcare settings. Tina believes each child has the right to experience and participate in a childcare program to the best of their ability. After witnessing firsthand the many benefits of inclusive childcare environments she feels a responsibility to advocate for all preschooler’s right to attend childcare. Because she has observed the advantages inclusion offers the entire community.
Barb Razer
Barb Razer has been involved in Early Intervention and Advocacy for 24 years. She believes this is an exciting time for children and adults with disabilities. The future is bright and the opportunities for successful inclusion of children and adults with disabilities have never been greater. Barb a parent of a child with a disability, who raised her child when inclusive services were not readily available… Her continued motivation lies in the basic principal that all children and adults deserve access to high quality services. Like wise, people working with children and adults deserve access to the necessary resources and supports systems to adequately provide those services.
Deb VanderGaast
Deb VanderGaast is a registered nurse and preschool teacher from Tipton, Iowa, and the owner/operator of Tipton Adaptive Daycare, a family daycare home that accepts children with disabilities and special medical needs. Her and her husband, Randal, have a blended family with eight children, ages 3 to 20. She began her career of working with children with disabilities at age 11, when she was a volunteer junior councilor at Camp Cottontail in Concord, California. She is currently an RN-BSN student at the University Of Iowa College Of Nursing.
Janet Fittry
Janet Fittry. I am a devoted mother of 3 school age children. I currently live in Fulton County Pa. I married my husband Jim in 1994. Obtained my GED diploma in 1996. My middle son was diagnoised with selective mutism in 2005 . I became an advocate for children with selective mutism to help “Rid the Silence”. I began a ‘whistle project’ to raise money for selective mutism. I am the author of a children story called ”The People Travelin’ Pete Meets”. In August of 2009, we had a break through with our son, who was completely mute outside of our home for 6 years. Our son returned to school this fall with a smile from ear to ear, and a Voice just as big! I am the leader of a 4-H club called “Fulton County Community Cavaliers”. I am currently involved with a new project of saving aluminum cans to raise money for Mental Health month in May. My goal in life is to continue to support my children, help them achieve their goals, open closed doors for children of special needs, and to be the voice for those who are afraid to use their own.
This blog is written/edited by SpecialQuest community members and does not necessarily reflect the perspectives of SpecialQuest Birth-Five or funders. 
