My Life, My Teaching: It starts with education at Illinois State

Alumni: David L. Curry

Graduation Year:

'87

Occupation:

Teacher

Major/Minor:

Special Education

Was there a particular event or experience that made you decide to pursue the field of education?

I never planned on going to college. As a high school student, my goal in life was to have some kind of full time job. That was more of a family expectation than a choice. I only knew of a few cousins from both sides of the family who had ever gone to college. It just wasn't in the plans for me.

When I graduated and began working full time, I went through some troubling times that lead me to the realization that I didn't want to be fifty and still working in a hospital cafeteria. I decided to go back to school.

The guidance dean asked me what field I wanted to go into, but I really didn't have a clue. She must have had connections to the field of special education and been aware of the need for teachers in that area because that is what she suggested for me. Maybe she saw something in me that I wasn't aware of yet.

At that time, I still didn't have a clue what I was getting into. My expectations were to be working in an institution somewhere. That's what I thought special education was! Believe it or not, it wasn't until I started junior practicum classes that I realized that I was being trained to become a teacher!

How did you know that you were meant to be an educator?

I think the defining moments that told me I was in the right place was my experiences working with the children of Metcalf School. During my first semester at ISU I was required to work with physically handicapped children in a shop class. I worked one on one with a little boy named Curtis who had Cerebral Palsy. I loved that kid. He always wanted to try everything—drilling, cutting on the saw—and it scared me to death!

My other defining moment is described in the next section.

Was there a particular faculty member or class that helped shape your thinking on the role of educators?

I had a reading course with Dr. David Tucker. I didn't know at the time if I was going to be good at teaching. I had my doubts. Our class had been working with first grade children on a weekly basis. When I picked up my final paper, Dr. Tucker had written a note to me on the last page. It said something to the effect of how much difference I had made in the life of the child I had been working with. I knew from then on that I could become not only a teacher, but a great teacher. Thank you, Dr. Tucker!

What was the most significant aspect of your student teaching experience?

The most significant aspect of my student teaching experience was working with supervising teachers who let me learn at my own pace. I had the most wonderful mentor in Judy Creech from Harris School in Decatur, IL. She taught me that organization was crucial and that a sense of humor was a must in special education. She also let me know quite frequently that I had what it takes to be a special educator. It was like a daily boost of confidence. I still keep in touch with her to this day.

Tell us about a new invention that came about during your teaching career and changed the way you taught.

The most influential change in education for me has been the use of technology in the classroom. When I entered the field in 1987, the Apple computer was just making its appearance in Springfield District 186. It blew me away that I could make such quality materials using a word processing program and dot-matrix printer! The days of the mimeograph machine were over!

As technology has improved, I have learned to use computers and assistive tech devices on a daily basis in my special education classroom. I love using video to show off my students' successes and share the world of special education with others.