Judith "Judy" COLEY

Judith Coley

Judy's 2011 Autobiography

Hello classmates! Like the rest of you, I can’t believe 50 years have gone by. It’s been fun reading about what everyone has been doing since graduation!

After graduation, I attended Southern Connecticut State College (now University), and graduated with a B.S. in both Special Education and Elementary Education. While teaching at Mansfield State Training School, I got my M.A in Special Education from the University of Connecticut. From Mansfield I taught in Stamford; Mt. Vernon and Yonkers, NY; North Chicago and Zion, Illinois. All my teaching has been in Special Education.

I moved back to Weston for a short time and did some graduate work at Southern. I was recruited for a position as Clinical Coordinator for a private school for learning disabled students in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and have been in Minnesota ever since. Since leaving that position, I have worked in several positions here- Special Education Coordinator, Director of Day Programs at Willmar State Hospital, Director of Special Education, and Elementary Principal. For 30 of my years in Minnesota, I have worked as both an Elementary Principal and as Director of Special Education for Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose School District, which is 45 miles directly west of the Twin Cities. While here, I have attended the University of Minnesota in the doctoral program. Unfortunately, due to many changes in my life, my 87 credits are too old now.

Personally, I live in Minnetonka, Minnesota in a large townhouse. Sixteen years ago I got involved in the adoption process and fourteen years ago I adopted two little boys. Since that time my family has grown, and I am the proud parent of 6 African-American children adopted from Minneapolis, ages 17, 16, 15, 14, 12 and 8. Four of the 6 have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome to varying degrees, and other special needs. To complete the family, we have 2 golden retrievers, 5 cats, 2 rock doves, and a guinea pig.

I retired in June of 2009, and after a year of housework, laundry, and parent-teacher conferences, I found that I deeply missed kids, families, teachers and the whole school environment. I am currently substitute teaching in Special Education programs , and doing some consulting in the same district that I retired from. I am hoping that the colleges in the area will recover from their forced staff reductions and will be hiring adjunct teachers soon. I have taught at several colleges throughout the years, and supervised student teachers, both of which I have loved.

I’m sorry that I will not be able to attend the reunion this year, but will certainly be there in spirit!

Judy’s Update (2021)

After substituting in the Special Education programs that I had formerly directed, for several years after I retired, I took a half-time position teaching transition skills to 18-21 year old Special Education students. I continue in this position currently.

Because of COVID-19, I am doing Distance Learning for 10 students. Teaching independent living skills and work skills through technology is way out of my comfort level, has created lots of stress, and has created the need to quickly learn a different teaching platform! Since these skills require activities and lots of practice, it has been a challenge to provide meaningful instruction.

Eight years ago, I also took a half-time position as a Direct Support Professional in a Group Home for Disabled Adults. I work with 4 men, for whom I cook, clean, give medications, and provide for their individual needs.

It continues to amaze me how fast the years go by! Greetings to all!