School of Education
Devana Lynne Snyder
Hometown: Seymour, Indiana
Major: Dual Major: Elementary Ed/Special Ed
Why did you choose a dual major?
I have two children with special needs. Over the years, we had several excellent teachers who worked well with their accommodations. We also had some who resented making accommodations and caused undue stress to my children. Those were difficult years emotionally and academically. Later, after my children were doing well in school, I began volunteering. I met many children like my own who were struggling and I had a hard time forgetting about them. I wanted to do so much more than I could get done in a couple of hours per week. After I began substitute teaching, I really desired to be able to teach full time. I knew that I could really make a difference, because I had seen good teachers really make changes in my kids over the course of a year; but starting college at thirty-five seemed too intimidating. The catalyst came during a lecture to my son about the importance of college when he said, “You and Dad never went, and you want to be a teacher and you’re still not going.” My options at that point seemed obvious. I guess you could say that my kids led me down this path.
What are your career plans?
I would like to be in a Title One elementary classroom. My children enjoyed advantages that made them successful. I was a strong advocate for them. Too many children do not have that advantage. There are many more children who could be just as successful as my own have been. I want to be an advocate for them. I can put to use what I have learned to educate and empower others. Then too, as a classroom teacher I will have a lot more access to the students who need my help. My daughter had the same resource teacher all five years of elementary school who saw her daily. During the years when she had a competent and willing classroom teacher, she made the most academic growth. By remaining in the classroom, I can reach the students directly.
Why did you choose UNCG?
I chose UNCG because they offered the Dual Major program. I know from experience that a special education teacher is highly constrained by her busy schedule and limited access to the children. I originally entered college with the intention of being the kind of general education teacher that cooperated with the special education teacher. When I learned of the Dual Major program, I was thrilled to realize that I could have the knowledge needed to meet the needs of all students – including those who have not been formally identified. Only at UNCG could I obtain an affordable education that allowed me to be dually certified.
Visit the Student Profiles Page to read more student profiles.