Conney Dahn
Florida Teacher of the Year
Jensen Beach High School, Jensen Beach
Grades 9-12, Special Needs

My teaching philosophy
Professional is defined by the American Heritage Dictionary as: “Noun: 1. A person following a profession, especially a learned profession. 2. One who earns a living in a given or implied occupation. 3. A skilled practitioner; an expert.” I am a learned professional because I have a bachelor’s degree in emotional handicaps, a master’s degree in mental retardation, and I am a National Board Certified Teacher in Exceptional Needs. I also receive a paycheck for my teaching job. The third definition is the one that makes THE difference. Many teachers learn the profession and are paid. Being “A skilled practitioner; an expert” is the difference between doing a job and having a passion for your students and the teaching profession. I want my students to graduate ready for the real world, supported employment, supported living, inclusion with their non-disabled peers in school and in the community, and with independence and literacy skills.

My philosophy in action
Community involvement is a very important aspect of my career as an educator, especially with students and people with disabilities. To do this, I have to be a role model. I am very involved with the Special Olympics as an administrator and coach. FRIENDS Chorus, a choir of fifty exceptional students and fifteen general-education students from seven schools in Martin County, is another way for the community to learn the unique abilities of the exceptional population of students in our county. This group performs locally an average of three times per month, in surrounding counties and in conferences and events around the state. Community Based Instruction (CBI) is instruction within the community. This teaches students daily living activities in the natural environment. The students decide on a menu for lunch, make a grocery list (either written with words or symbols), and call Community Coach to arrange transportation. We travel in groups of three or four. Each student has $15.00 to ride the Community Coach, grocery shop and go out to lunch. The next day, the students cook their own lunch, with clean-up detail and have experienced the entire process from start to finish. Friday Night Angels began as a vision for young people with disabilities to be involved in church youth groups.

My greatest teaching accomplishment
I have received many honors for the past seventeen years that I have taught in Martin County. I was selected as Teacher of the Year in three of the four schools I have taught in and District Teacher of the Year in the years 1992 and 2006. I have received the Bridge Builder Award from an adult service provider agency for people with disabilities. I have also received the I Make a Difference award. None are as impressive as the accomplishments my students have made because of the respectful environment they are in and the high expectations of the people around them. These are some of my awards:

• a student with multiple disabilities and a visual impairment singing a solo in a talent show (put on by the Martin County Parks and Recreation Department) at the Lyric Theater
• two students who have been able to participate on the general- education weight lifting team as exhibitionist lifters because their non-disabled peers wanted them there and trained them. Both students traveled with the team. This was possible because of the training they received as Special Olympics Power Lifters
• a student who won a part in the production of Grease, a dream come true!
• four students who had parts in the play The Boys Next Door
• 99% of students graduating with employment
• a student who dressed as the school mascot, traveled with the cheerleaders and received an award at the football banquet
• an athlete training and running a mile in less than eight minutes
• a student with aggressive behaviors becoming a productive student as she learned to control her outbursts
• a student with severe autism included in a weight-lifting class, with student support
• a student with fetal alcohol syndrome who was included in an honors biology class and dissected her own shark

The accomplishments are many, the eyes of the beholder are being opened, and many more doors of opportunity for persons with disabilities are being opened as well.

The most critical issues facing educators today
Every child deserves a well-qualified teacher. Research is showing that approximately one quarter of beginning teachers leave the teaching field within four years and half quit after five years. Teacher retention is a major issue in the field of education. Why do teachers quit? Many educational sources report that poor salary, the quality of the facility, poor administrative support, student discipline problems, and lack of mentoring are the some of the reasons teachers choose to leave the classroom. To keep teachers in the field, the National Education Association reports that giving them adequate preparation, support, leadership, and autonomy as well as compensation that reflect their professional stature are a must.

Ways to resolve this issue
Four strategies can be used to keep teachers in the classroom: adequate preparation, mentoring new teachers, improving the working environment, and providing financial incentives.

One thought to inspire teachers to succeed
Teachers open the doors for students to dream…keep reaching, keep dreaming, never accept status quo. Help them to believe it and they will achieve it!

One lesson every student should learn
Compassion for their fellow students, especially students who have disabilities.

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