Pioneer Parents in Indiana

ABOUT DAWN MCGRATH

By Angela Arlington

In 1995, Dawn McGrath was in her 9th year of teaching special education. She and her husband had some concerns about their two-year-old son, Christopher, and so they had him evaluated. Chris was diagnosed with autism just a few months before turning three. “I thought I knew everything about special education until that moment when I realized I knew next to nothing. It is one thing to have technical knowledge, compassion, and professional dedication. It is an entirely different thing to see it in the eyes of your toddler and personally feel the advocacy,” McGrath confessed.

It was in 1997 when Chris taught Dawn a lesson that would last a lifetime. “My preschooler arrived home from a field trip to the Children’s Museum. As he ran circles in the living room humming songs, I peppered him with questions about his day like mothers are taught to do. I knew he was still unable to put together words to respond to me, and after a while I was overcome with self-pity. I sat on the floor quietly with tears pooling up in my eyes, sad that I may never be able to communicate with my son. It was then, in my silence, that I heard what my son was singing - it was the most beautiful little reproduction of the music from the carousel at the Children’s Museum! In his own perfect-pitch, multiple-sounds-at-the-same-time way, he WAS telling me about his day! His expression was far more powerful and personal than words. It was then that I committed to listen to my son on his terms, and as an extension, figure out how to measure and value the unconventional development of children with unique circumstances.”

In 1998, she was part of a team of Pike Township elementary teachers who built a new elementary school dedicated to celebrating each student’s “personal best.” She then set forth with them to create a software program which measured incremental performance indicators aligned to state standards. In January of 1999, Dawn attended a parent advocate training and over lunch happened to mention her project to Bob Marra, the Indiana Special Education Director of Education at that time. Dawn smiled and shared, “Before that weekend was over, Bob said, ‘If we fund your project, will you share it with others across the state?’ The grant began January of 2000 and ended under the Bennett administration ten years later.”

During that decade, Dawn contributed to a number of advancements for special education, “We designed and provided state software to measure incremental standards that made up the alternative assessment, ISTAR. We also designed the electronic state IEP system so that users would have prompts throughout the case conference committee process to ensure a comprehensive and complaint process. All of this might not seem that revolutionary here in 2020, but twenty years ago before these systems were provided, many of the forms were cut and paste or hand-written and many of the references were without accountability support built into the processes.”

Dawn’s contributions to special education empowered families and staff with inventories to measure students’ strengths and data to support more comprehensive planning for student needs. Although ISTAR has now been replaced with IAM and the contract for the original electronic IEP now belongs to an external proprietary entity, the original work for the state initiated the process of leveraging technology to serve students receiving special education services during a time when these tools and technical skills were not widespread.

As for little Christopher, he went on to get a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and “gave back” by serving as an instructional assistant for students with significant needs once he graduated. He is now working with Voc Rehab services to explore further career options. Dawn currently teaches university courses, provides strategic planning services for school corporations, and treasures time with her family.

Dawn describes the years of working for children and young adults across the state as a time where she felt exceptionally blessed. “My career, my family, and my passions were all aligned. It made everything in my life make sense. It focused my purpose. There is an unspoken understanding between parents of students with disabilities that connects us all to each other within the special education community, one of the most steadfast affiliations I have known. It is in giving of ourselves to each other where we truly find the greatest joys.”

If you would like to be a part of this Pioneer Parent section or to nominate someone else to be in an upcoming issue of Special Needs Living? Email us at SpecialNeedsLivingIndy@n2pub.com