Greetings Ladera Leopard Families
This will be my eleventh year of teaching preschool children with special needs in Tustin. I was born and raised in Minnesota where I earned by B.S. degree in Special Education. At age 22 I moved to California where I earned my Masters degree in Education. I have several teaching credentials: Communication Handicapped, Mild/Moderate Mentally Handicapped, Moderate/Severe Mentally Handicapped, Multiple Subject, and Clad certification.
I started my teaching career with L.A. County Office of Education. Over the years I have worked with all age levels, from preschool to young adults. The beginning years are so vital in helping to create the foundation and focus of development. It gives me much pleasure to be part of this early developmental stage working hand in hand with so many loving parents. I have two sisters who also work with special needs students and a third sister who is a nurse, so you can see my roots are one who wants to make a difference.
I have been married to Tom, my husband for 28 years and have two children. My son TJ (24) graduated from the Berklee College of Music with a B.A. degree in Professional Music. My daughter Anna (21) is working toward her degree in Occupational Therapy.
It is an honor to be part of your child's education and teaching at our wonderful school. I look forward to meeting my new students and seeing how my former students have grown over the summer. It is my goal to create an atmosphere where the children will enjoy coming to school every day and look forward to the next day of learning.
Joan Sammut