Meet LauraMarie Coleman

LauraMarie Coleman, an instructional coach, shares her career journey working with exceptional children. LauraMarie had wanted to be a teacher since she was a child, taking after her mother and aunt. 

Where do you work?

Teach2Abilities and Partnership for Equitable Mathematics Acceleration

Why did you decide to pursue a career in special education?

When I was in college, I had the opportunity to work with the children during an adult conference through my church. One of the kids in the group had cerebral palsy, and I ended up working one-on-one with this child for the whole day. He was an amazing kid with an incredible personality. Over the course of that day, I realized how essential it is that all people get the support they need to be an equal part of any community. I was hooked!

What led you to this career path? What steps did you take?

Growing up, I had always wanted to be a teacher. My mom and aunt were both teachers. I volunteered to teach Sunday School at my church, was babysitting constantly, and worked my way through high school and college as a camp counselor, lifeguard, and swim instructor. I quickly learned that I was really good at working with kids, whether in the water or in a classroom.

For a brief period, when I first started college, I was a social work major. I quickly realized that my true passion was education, specifically students with special needs. So, I transferred schools and became a special education major.

I was hired to teach a special education Kindergarten class by the district in which I did my student teaching. It was rough at first in a brand new classroom that had no materials or furniture, but as I found my way through all the "first year" challenges, I knew I was in the right place. 

Describe the most exciting or rewarding aspect of your role.

The most rewarding aspect of my role is to help students find their path to success. In my career, I have spent most of my time in the classroom working with students who have severe multiple disabilities, many of whom also have very challenging behavior. I love the data analysis and relationship-building process as I get to know each student, understand their strengths, and help them build confidence as they find their path to success. It is so easy to feel overwhelmed by the needs of your students, but when you take it one step at a time and celebrate each tiny moment of success, special education is SO rewarding.

What advice would you give to a current teacher candidate interested in pursuing a similar career in the future?

If you know you want to go into education, seek out a variety of opportunities through your school placements across your courses. During my master's degree, I found that many of the special education teachers in my courses had a limited understanding of out-of-district placement and the students I worked with.   I encourage you to explore working in different settings and with students of different ages and abilities. It is a great way to not only build your resume but also discover your strengths and interests as a teacher.

What general advice would you give to a high school or college student who is interested in pursuing a special education?

Work with kids! As you move through high school and college, find as many different opportunities and settings as possible to work with kids. The key to my success in education is having confidence in my ability to build relationships, identify students' strengths, and effectively organize, direct, and manage a group of children. The only way you develop these abilities and your self-confidence is through working with kids. I also encourage you to seek out opportunities to work with kids in a variety of settings. Consider volunteering for Special Olympics or an after-school program in an urban or rural area. In a classroom setting, you will encounter students from all walks of life, and hands-on experience in different environments will help you understand your students and their needs better.

Anything else you want to share?

Never stop learning and sharing your knowledge and ideas with other teachers. In my career, I have moved from a classroom teacher to an instructional coach and finally to an educational consultant. Reflecting on and growing your practice as a teacher is essential, no matter where you are in your career. Workshops and professional reading are valuable resources, but the most effective resource is a group of teachers who are willing to share their expertise, reflect on their experiences, brainstorm together, and offer suggestions and feedback. Over the years, I have had opportunities to return to the classroom, and every time I go back, I am a better teacher because of what I have learned from the teachers I work with.