Susan Gaudreau
Elementary Special Education
Welcome to my website! I'm Susan Gaudreau, currently teaching in a Communication Behavior Classroom at Grout Elementary School. Although teaching has not been my lifelong career, I feel that many events in my life have led me to teaching in a Communication Behavior classroom. I worked as a paraeducator for Portland Public Schools before entering PSU’s Graduate School of Education. Prior to that, I was a Creative Movement Instructor, a Dance Therapist and a Treatment Coordinator for adults experiencing chronic mental illness. Before working with adults, I worked at the Child Study Center in Brooklyn, NY as a Dance Therapist. I had always wanted to return to working with children. My experience in these areas has helped me to see the strengths that come through disability. I hope to help your child through many successes. I also hope to enhance the community of the classroom that already exists, as well as support your child’s active membership in the school community as a whole. I am dedicated to using best practices in my methods--not just academic, but emotional and social skill development as well. My husband and I have two teenagers, a 17-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son. I love to garden and stay active with any outdoor activity. I am looking forward to sharing all my interests with your child through classroom activities, such as utilizing the school’s garden space, creative movement groups, cooking, yoga and neighborhood walks. The two CB classrooms are looking forward to starting a CB Parent Night, where we will discuss programs in the classroom, community services and so forth. We also look forward to planning many field trips this year. If you would like to accompany us as a volunteer, let us know. I would like to establish an open communication line with you. my PPS email is [email protected] . We will have one or two very small snacks during the school day. This time is one of our best opportunities to use our Picture Exchange Communication Boards, as snacks are highly motivating. Snacks are a great means of reinforcing social skills and mealtime routines.The cafeteria provides a daily seasonal fruit or vegetable. However, we would welcome any snacks for the classroom to share that you can provide. We are a peanut-free classroom. Every child deserves access to an education that will allow her or him to reach their full, unique potential. Read my teaching philosophy. |