Julie Macker

Julie Macker, a Ph.D. in Education student and a teacher of the deaf in Columbia, S.C., was recently selected as an American Star of Teaching.

The American Star of Teaching Award, presented by the U.S. Department of Education, spotlights some of the nation’s most highly effective teachers who are using innovative strategies to successfully incorporate the principles of the No Child Left Behind Act. Teachers from the Department of Education chose one recipient from each state from a field of more than 4,000 nominations.

Macker is pursuing a specialization in Special Education at Walden to help her achieve her long-term goals of piloting deaf education programs at universities in South Carolina (the state currently has only one) and someday teaching at Gallaudet University, a college for the deaf in Washington, D.C.

She currently works with children ages 3 to 7 who have hearing impairments ranging from mild to profound, some aided by cochlear implants. “Because deafness is often a primary disability, I also have students with secondary disabilities, including developmental delays and autism,” Macker says. “My goals for these children include creating and maintaining a positive self-concept, tolerance and a love for learning.”

Commenting on the award, Macker says that receiving it is a giant step for special education teachers across the country: “We receive very little recognition for what we do, so even being nominated for the award is an enormous honor. I know that I’m in the right field and doing the right thing.”

March Ponder front page