Shani Ciarrochi
Shani Ciarrochi
Hello All :)
My name is Shani, I'm a 24 year old Special Education teacher to some amazing kiddos with Autism, and I have a very sweet, perfect two-month old baby boy.
I work for the Ferguson-Florissant school district as an Instructional Assistant in a self-contained classroom for preschool students with Autism. I absolutely love what I do, and find it so rewarding to be able to touch the life of a student who can find life so challenging.
I graduate with an Educational Studies degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis this spring, and will be going straight into the certification program to become an ABA at the Wash U university college here in St. Louis.
Knowing that I'll be able to work one-on-one with students who have behavioral problems completely excites me. Being able to function in social contexts is hugely important to be able to be a functioning member of society. However, for kids who need ABA services, that concept can be challenging, and leave students and their families frustrated. So, knowing that I'll be the person to come into a student"s life and help them behave appropriately, ultimately leading to a healthy, successful, and rewarding life, just inspires me more and keeps me focused on the certification.
Last, but most definitely, not least, I have a beautiful, baby boy, whom I just had two months ago. I'm truly blessed to have such a sweet baby in my life, and there is nothing more rewarding or more reassuring than being a mother to my son. My son is my biggest accomplishment in life, and the joy I get from being next to him everyday could never be replaced or compared to anything or anyone else.
I've included some links to some articles about children with Autism and the importance of an ABA. I've read these articles and have found them helpful to my career. Hopefully they can help fellow educators and ABAs.
ENJOY!
http://www.behaviorbabe.com/aba-techniques
http://www.nea.org/tools/advice-for-new-special-education-teachers.html