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Program Award Winner: Madeline Kaplow

Each year, faculty in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) come together to select an outstanding student in their program to receive the honor of being named as their program award winner. Students selected for this award embody the very best of their program: they excel in their studies; they demonstrate leadership in classes and internships; and they have a genuine and tenacious passion for their discipline.

This year, faculty in Special Education have selected Madeline Kaplow as their Outstanding Student in Special Education (Autism Certificate). Congratulations, Madeline!

Kaplow

Q & A with Outstanding Student in Special Education (Autism Certificate), Madeline Kaplow:

What academic accomplishment are most proud of?  

So much of my day-to-day as a Special Education teacher involves collaboration and this program was no different. I am proud to have consistently reached out to facilitate greater understandings of the work I was doing in conjunction with what I was learning.   

What are your plans after graduation? 

After graduation I am excited to share that I will be working as the Director of Special Education at high school in New Orleans where I have been formally working as a Special Education teacher. 

What is your favorite memory in CEHD or your favorite part of being a CEHD student? 

I was super worried that because of its online format, I wouldn’t have the feeling of a “real” academic experience. I was so wrong. Being a CEHD student meant that I had a team of professors who had my back far beyond the semester or two we spent together. Additionally, working alongside passionate, motivated and brilliant learners in my cohort made me feel like each week I was experiencing a new practicum.  

What advice do you have for fellow CEHD students (especially those that are not graduating yet)? 

This is hard! Not only is the program challenging but the work we do is hard. Be gentle with yourself in acknowledging this and stay student-focused. When the going got tough, it only took about one second of thinking about a student to get me back on track. The more we know, the better work we do.  

Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself? 

I am so lucky to have found a career that I truly love. After graduation I am also going to have my French Bulldog certified as a therapy dog so I can bring him into my classroom and to nursing homes, hospitals and in-patient facilities.