Britta Cook
- Chippewa Falls, Wis.
- Special education major
- What's next: Traveling to Scotland on a research project and presenting at a math conference
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UW-Eau Claire photo by Bill Hoepner |
Britta Cook always believed she would become a teacher.
"Ever since I had my first student teacher back in elementary school I dreamed of the day that I would get to fill that position," said Cook. "I can’t explain why. I just knew that was what I was meant to do."
The special education major admits that it's one thing to learn the skills needed to teach, but another to actually put them into practice. However, Cook received early affirmation that she can indeed live her dream. At a time when she was required to create a reading unit for one of her classes, she was working with a first grade student in a disabilities classroom. The child had great difficulty learning to read. Cook decided to gear her unit toward the needs of this particular student.
"Every day we worked together and by the end of the semester, she was able to blend and segment simple sounds. She was reading!" Cook said. "That was the single most uplifting moment in my career as a practicum student."
Cook's other accomplishments include exemplary coursework that has been recognized by her professors, being a voting member on the College of Education and Human Sciences academic curriculum committee and taking leadership roles in organizations and events pertaining to her major. She is a Special Olympics volunteer and a member of the Student Council for Exceptional Children and the Student Wisconsin Education Association.
In early May she presented research findings on assessing early numeracy skills and interventions at the Wisconsin Mathematics Council conference in Green Lake. The workshop she led was based on work she did with Dr. Joe Morin, associate professor of special education, and Dr. David Franks, professor emeritus of special education.
In early June she will travel to Scotland with Dr. Rose Battalio, associate professor and chair of special education, where they will visit multiple schools to compare special education practices in Scotland to those of the United States. She plans to send video footage of Scotland back to the classroom in Elk Mound where she has been student teaching, as her students will still be attending school.
"Through my student teaching experiences I have discovered that I really do love to teach," said Cook. "I enjoy fostering and sharing my students' love and excitement for learning. I know that there is nothing else I would rather do."
More on Britta Cook
Future plans and aspirations, both immediate and long term: I plan to come back this summer to complete coursework in the special education program for emotional/behavioral disabilities. After that, I plan to teach special education outside of Wisconsin (preferably out West) to gain a greater perspective on educational practices. I would like to return to Wisconsin to either continue my career as a public school teacher or obtain a doctoral degree in special education and become a professor.
Unique aspects of her UW-Eau Claire experience: I had the opportunity to work as a student clinician for UW-Eau Claire's Human Development Center. At HDC, an interdisciplinary team works together to provide clinical services to children and families in the community, including diagnostics and interventions for a wide variety of problems. It increased my confidence in my diagnostic abilities, gave me the opportunity to work on a professional team and also provided me with an alternate view of assessments and interventions.
A UW-Eau Claire person, class or project that made a positive difference in her life: Second only to my student teaching experiences, my work with the special education department faculty has made a great difference. They are a wonderful group of people who truly care about the development of their students. I feel as though many of them have really taken me under their wing and helped to mold me into the educator and person I am today.
Highlights of her life at UW-Eau Claire:
Being accepted into the College of Education and Human Sciences
- Receiving multiple scholarships and awards
- Being chosen as an Outstanding Senior
- Participating in the Reading Partners Program
- Working as an autism therapist
- Coaching eighth-grade girls' volleyball
- Working as a leadership camp counselor
- Spending my free time playing intramural sports
Advice for success to incoming UW-Eau Claire students: College goes by fast. It's never too early to become involved. If there is something you are interested in, let it be known. Also, step outside your comfort zone. Take on a challenge that is new to you. This is the time to do it.
Learn about other featured May 2010 graduates
