Lissa Eckstrom

Lissa Eckstrom - Resource Room Teacher

What does Special Education Look Like at McGraw High School?
Resource Room, Consultant Teaching Services and Special Classes 
 

In the Resource Room at the High School, we work with students who need help to be academically successful.  As the Resource Teachers, we provide assistance in the Resource Room.  We monitor academic success and the completion of assignments. In RR, CTS, and Special Classes, we work from each child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) to tailor a program which meets each child’s needs.

As a Consultant Teacher, we work in the classrooms with the students that are assigned to us.  This instruction can be direct instruction where we observe and work with the child in the mainstream setting.  The instruction can also be indirect.  This is a collaborative process with the mainstream teacher.  We work together to meet the child’s individual needs during shared planning time outside of the classroom.

Children are also provided with their testing adaptations in the Resource Room.  These adaptations, granted by the Committee on Special Education, are provided in the alternative setting to allow the child to meet their potential.  Students are only allowed to receive those adaptations granted by the CSE. 

In an effort to gain support for instruction, we communicate frequently with parents.  We work together as a team with each child’s parents to find avenues for their academic success.

“The ability to think straight, some knowledge of the past, some vision of the future, some urge to fit that service into well-being of the community – these are the most vital things education must try to produce.” – Virginia Gildersleeve

Teaching Certification:

B.S. Special Education
Permanent Certification in Special Education K-12

M.S. Reading
Permanent Certification in Reading K-12

Work Experience:

I have taught in McGraw for over 3 decades.  I have been honored to be a Resource Room/Consultant Teacher for my tenure in the district.  I have taught Special Education in grades 7-12.  

Life Experiences:

I grew up in Genoa, New York which is very similar to the McGraw community.  I graduated from Southern Cayuga High School.  I went to SUNY Geneseo and was accepted into the competative Special Education program.  I graduated with my Special Education Bachelors of Arts and moved to the area to attend SUNY Cortland.  I obtained my reading certification through SUNY Cortland.   I enjoyed continuing my education at Cornell in the area of School to Work.

I became a foster parent in 2001 and adopted my three children.  In the summers, I would coach softball for the McGraw Recreation Department.  I have written many grants for the community.  I worked with Bob Schlict to obtain funds to refurbish the Central New York Free College Cemetery.  I worked with Dan Bilodeau, Ken Gilbert, and Alan McLean and successfuly obtained funds to build the Bennett Street Fields for the children and the village of McGraw.  In 2001, I was awarded Franziska Racker Centers Individual of the Year.  



Quote: 

"You don't need to hold a child's hand to guide them to learn, you need to hold them responsible for their own learning."

                                                                                                                                                                        - L. Lipfert




Room 12