Currently, I teach at-risk students in special education. Many of my students have a diagnosis including Autism, Aspergers, ADHD, and unspecified learning disabilities. In addition, my mother had Multiple Sclerosis which profoundly affected her both physically and cognitively. Thus, I have more than 20 years of experience engaging, encouraging, and taking care of someone with cognitive/physical challenges. Her illness led me to attend a barrier-free college where many of my classmates and dear friends had disabilities including Traumatic Brain injury, Autism, Cerebral Palsy and various learning disabilities. I think my professional skills as a teacher and personal passion for people with disabilities would make me a good fit for this position.