Cohort 3

Misha is a Special Education Resource teacher at Think College Now Elementary School in Oakland Unified School District. She taught kindergarten and first grade in general education for 7 years and is enjoying her new role as a Resource Specialist.  She enjoys spending time with her 10 year old daughter, dancing and working to dismantle systemic oppression within herself and her communities. 

I grew up in Portland, OR and have lived in Oakland for almost 10 years. I have a BA in English Literature from Mills College and a BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Utah State. After graduation I worked in Oakland schools for 4 years, where I learned about AAC. The visual elements of language and seemingly infinite applications of it captured my interest immediately and I've been exploring it ever since. So far I've worked with a social group of elementary schoolers who use SGDs, and used low tech AAC with ATP members during every group meeting. When I'm not in class or clinic, I spend my time playing guitar, taking my dog to the dog park, relaxing with friends, and enjoying the sunshine at the beach or at Lake Merritt. 

 Hi, I'm Julia. I hold a BA in Art Education and am currently pursuing a Master's in Speech Pathology. My interest in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) was sparked during my tenure as a behavioral specialist, where I witnessed firsthand the impact of a communication device on a child with apraxia.

In my career, I aim to leverage AAC to break down communication barriers for individuals in need. I envision working one-on-one with clients in a clinical setting, facilitating connections and enhancing their interaction with the world.

Outside of my professional pursuits, I engage in artistic endeavors during my spare time. I also enjoy socializing with friends, attending concerts, and dancing as part of my recreational activities. My commitment lies in making a pragmatic impact through the integration of art and communication in both my career and personal life. 

Hi! My name is Trang and I am a third-year graduate student in the extended masters program for Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences at CSUEB. I earned my undergraduate degree in psychology and counseling at San Francisco State University. In the past, I worked as a paraeducator at an elementary school and that experience sparked my passion to advocate for children with developmental delays in the educational system. Being a part of the LISTEN grant has expanded my understanding of AAC through interdisciplinary work with other students in the program. I’m grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Dr. Dukhovny and my community in our pilot program, Storytime with AAC. This experience opened my eyes to the importance of supporting caregivers and children using AAC in literacy and communication through modeling. When I'm not in school, I enjoy nature walks, baking, and spending time with my family and friends. 

I am born and raised in Oakland, California and received a BA in Psychology at University of California, Berkeley. I also received an Education Specialist teaching credential and an MA in Education from Alliant International University. I worked as a special education teacher for 7 years before making the jump to pursue a career in Speech and Language Pathology. My passion for supporting people in their journey to self-determination is what led me to apply to the Project LISTEN grant. Project LISTEN guides us in developing evidence based practices in order to effectively support people with complex communication needs. I am thankful for the opportunity to work alongside the scholars in both the Speech, Language and Hearing Science and the Special Education Departments, as well as Dr. Elena Dukhovny and Dr. Talya Kemper. 

Outside of school, I enjoy taking care of my cats, going on hikes, and cooking. 

Hello, my name is Joel. I am a 2nd-year Teacher Resident for WCCUSD (West Contra Costa Unified School District). I work as an Education Specialist at Hercules High School, where I have a caseload of 20 full-inclusion diploma track RSP students. I am dedicated to providing them the support they need to succeed academically and personally. I am passionate about helping students with extensive support needs and those with mild to moderate support needs. 

During last year's fall semester, I worked closely with one of my students in the ESN program at De Anza High School. This student was the focus of our team's interdisciplinary case study, which allowed me to gain valuable insights into her unique learning needs and develop effective strategies to support her AAC goals.

My educational background includes Master's degrees in Critical Theory (UCI) and German Intellectual History (UCB). Additionally, I have a long-standing interest in linguistics, which drew me to Project Listen. I am grateful for the AAC Grant program as it provides numerous opportunities to learn from my colleagues. Collaborating with other educators and sharing best practices is invaluable in improving my teaching skills and ensuring the success of my students.