f feature
Advocating SUCCESS for
Columbus Special Education Teacher Overcomes Obstacles, Works Collaboratively To Serve All Students Amanda Gronewold
E
very child can learn, regard-
“I got my first pair of hearing aids
less of the challenges they
when I was in the fourth grade,” she
face.
said, “and it was just something that I
This philosophy guides Kristin
Johnson, a special education teacher
learned to adapt to.” Adapting as a teacher means Johnson positions herself so she
who knows firsthand about powering
can read the speaker’s lips. She also
colleagues and administration have
through difficult circumstances in the
reminds people to speak more loudly
been understanding.
classroom. The inclusion teacher at
as needed. The face masks neces-
“I've done it so many times my
sary during the COVID-19 pandemic
entire life that I don't even think [of
hindered lipreading, making com-
it as] compensating or accommodat-
Columbus Municipal School District’s Sale Elementary School (SES) has
munication in the classroom even
ing myself. It just becomes natural
dealt with chronic hearing loss since
more challenging. Johnson said it
for me,” she said. “[During mandatory
childhood.
has been a struggle, but her students,
mask-wearing phases last academic
School Focus
12
Summer 2021
