Teach2Me is dedicated to my beautiful 14-year old daughter
Jessica, who has Autism. Teach2Me is my daughter saying to
me “Mom I can learn, just figure out a way to
teach to me.”
Jessica has spent the last 2 years attending a school that
specializes in Autism, in a “model” classroom.
I believe that school and the educational specialist, Tammi
Waltjer Haverly, who became her teacher and took Jessica under
her wing, saved her life.
Prior to attending this school and due to a lack of a communication
system, Jessica’s world became increasingly more frustrating.
Her behaviors were alarmingly going from bad to worse. Something
had to be done and fast or we were going to lose my little
girl forever. To say the least, the quality of her adult life
was going to be greatly compromised.
At her specialized school, they use ABA and many of the visuals
used on the Teach2Me CD’s along with communication devices,
which provide clarity to her day. With expertly trained staff,
Jessica has made phenomenal progress in a short amount of time.
She is no longer the frustrated little girl that couldn’t
communicate with us or us with her. Her world has become organized
and we can see the relief and peace within her. It brings me
tears of joy.
I volunteer for Tammi on a regular basis with the constant
demand to provide more and more visuals for her students. Tammi
has trained me well and it’s a joy to help her provide
these learning aides for Jessica and the rest of Tammi’s
students. I watch, listen and learn and I am amazed at
how effective these visuals are.
In 2006, I attended Partners in Policymaking, a leadership
course for which I was selected to help parents become leaders
and advocates for children with developmental disabilities.
It was during those long hours of listening to speakers that
I was inspired to put some of the visual materials used by
Jessica’s school onto a CD. This creation is one small
way of helping parents and teachers and to turn those tough
times into something positive by paying it forward and helping
others in similar circumstances. And so with Tammi as my mentor
and with her guidance, the first of the CD’s was created
for Teach2Me. The feedback and support from parents & professionals
has been nothing short of incredible.
I love to create customized visuals for those individuals
that have special interests, such as sports, cars, trucks,
food, activities or just anything that might help peak their
interest. See the examples I’ve
created for Jessica (click on each image to see it in a .pdf):
I was so excited to see how well these visuals worked
for her. If you have specific concerns
for at home, traveling, transitioning, school, IEP’s
or other issues, please contact me and I will do all I can
to design something for your family.
A special thank you goes to my beautiful daughter Jessica,
who has always been my inspiration. She has always tried so
hard and, given the right tools, is now beginning to succeed.
Bless her heart! I also want to thank my husband Rodell who
spent long hours helping me with this project and understanding
the need to help others. I couldn’t have done it without
his support. Also, a special thanks to my two other children
-- James and Jordan. I don’t think enough attention
and praise is given to the siblings who have to constantly
take a back seat. I do believe, because of what they have been
through, they will grow up to be incredibly strong adults who
will make a difference in this world. I wouldn’t
have made it through those tough years without Jordan at my
side. She has been and always will be my right hand woman.
It is my mission to help others and make the road a little
easier in any way I can. Teach2Me is one vehicle with which
I can do that. Bless all of you and your children with
your struggles and on this journey we have been handed. Peace
be with you all. And never ever quit. Keep looking for answers.
Speak out, be their voice. It is up to all of us to change
the systems that will affect our children forever.
Denise Purdy-Grosz
Remember: “It’s so important to
believe in yourself. Believe that you can do it under any
circumstances. Because, if you believe you can, then you
really will. That belief just keeps you searching for the
answers, and then pretty soon you get it.” - - Wally “Famous” Amos
"Teach2Me provides a wealth of resources available with a simple
click on the computer. The materials are well organized and
provide teachers with a foundation for developing highly individualized
teaching materials for students requiring visual clarity to
their daily routine, specific activities, and learning."
-Tammi
Waltjer Haverly, Education Specialist
