I’ll never forget the day I opened my email and saw the flyer for the SPED Cohort Program. I had already attended graduate classes for an old SPED graduate program and I didn’t finish. This flyer presented “a do or die” ultimatum. It was great to see that I could attain my graduate degree in one year. So from Fall 2007 to Fall 2008, I was a student in the 2nd Cohort SPED Graduate Program at the University of Guam. I truly have learned so much being a student in this program. The curriculum and the instructional format were easy to follow. The best part about the program is that I learned from the other members in the cohort. We were a team of cooperative and collaborative learners. Added to this was the fact that the professors were not only great teachers but they also were terrific counselors. Now I can say that I am teaching ALL students and ALL are special!!! Thank you for the journey.

Rita Reyes
Classroom Teacher,
Lijuan Terrace Elementary School
M.Ed. Special Education - University of Guam
December 2008

The Master of Education in Special Education program coordinated by Dr. Richard Fee provided the most practical experience compared to other programs I experienced. Prior to the program I was a school reform program coordinator at the school and district levels. I lacked the technical knowledge necessary to address our special education student population. With the knowledge gained from the program, I was able to provide technical support for classroom teachers and assist the school administrator with compliance issues. Now, I’m a proud Highly Qualified Special Education Teacher.

By the way the Master of Education in Special Education program coordinated by Dr. Richard Fee was the first program in the University of Guam’s, School of Education to implement the HQT requirements.

Enrique Quinata
Special Education Teacher,
Agana Heights Elementary School
M.Ed. Educational Leadership - University of Portland
M.Ed. Special Education - University of Guam
December 2009

The Masters in Special Education program at UOG has changed my life. I can say easily this is the best academic program I've been involved with having done graduate studies for 20 years at UOG, and a few stateside universities. The immersive rigor of the program has kept me challenged every day from the beginning, even on vacation. The rigor combined with support of colleagues and the program chair has provided me a real world model for how learning should be. The cohort concept is, without a doubt, the way to go.

The program has taught me how to see people differently, how to learn from them, how to help them contribute, and why it is so important to look past peoples limitations. Everything we have learned has been practical, comprehensive, cutting edge and accompanied by deep reflection. With so many exceptional colleagues going through this experience together, we learn far more than we could alone. When I shopped for a program this time I chose this one because it seemed it was more than a degree. Thanks to Dr. Fee and faculty it is.

Joseph Mancuso
Educational Technology Specialists,
DODEA - Pacific
M.Ed. Educational Leadership - University of Portland
Candidate, M.Ed. - Special Education - University of Guam
December 2011

When I had first heard of the UoG Special Education 'accelerated learning' program, I was intrigued. It wasn't something that I had considered. I had actually enrolled in the program on a whim. I was pleasantly surprised at how everything turned out though. Coming from a general education background and then studying something specialized was quite a wonderful challenge. Although I am not currently working for Special Education, the program enabled me to network with people. It enabled me to learn a LOT more about students with disabilities (more so than I had ever learned in methods classes in my undergraduate program as well as my years of teaching). It helped me become a much better general education teacher, because it opened my eyes even further to the needs of every student.

E. A. Balmeo
Teacher V,
VSA Benavente Middle School
M.Ed. Educational Leadership - University of Portland
M.Ed Educational Leadership - University of Portland
M.Ed Special Education - University of Guam
December 2008

I had a pleasure of being part of a really nice M.Ed-Sped program. In my honest opinion, this was probably one of the best experiences I have had. Before I put in time into this program, I really did not know much about how to deal with Special Education students. After all, I barely survived my first year of teaching. One of the reasons for this is lack of knowledge with special education, besides dealing with students.

After completing the program, I decided to move into special education. It changed my attitude towards students. Before I got into special education, I admit I had this habit of thinking most of them are just lazy but since I started teaching resource math, I found out that most of these kids are actually itching to learn. I actually had more of these kids participating in class activities than I ever did in a general education setting, which I would consider as an accomplishment.

Lew Aarum Manalang
Special Education - Math Teacher,
VSA Benavente Middle School
M.Ed. Special Education - University of Guam
May 2011

I received my master in Special education program at university Of Guam 2009. I have worked as a teacher in Guam’s only public school with full inclusion of students with special needs in regular classrooms. Special education program was the best thing that happened to me. I was very fortunate to take my classes on Saturdays and be able to keep my teaching position at my school. I hope these programs continue and give the same opportunities to individuals who are seeking higher education in teaching field.

Parvaneh Sabeti
8th grade Science Teacher,
Jose Rios L.G. Middle School
M.Ed. Special Education - University of Guam
December 2009

Initially I had no interest at all in Special Education until on fateful day when I had a student with emotional and learning disability placed in my classroom. I had no idea what his Individualized Education Plan was all about. I had no clue that he had learning and social objectives as well as year-long goals that needed to be met. All in all, I had no clue about Special Education.

Because of this instance, I thought to myself that I cannot continue to be in the dark when it comes to Special Education. I failed as a teacher to help one student, but there was no way I was willing to continue this process. I talked to a few colleagues and friends about Special Education and the Masters of Education: Special Education was brought up. There were many positive feedbacks on how the program helped to educate and implement learning for all students. Teachers also started to be accountable towards students’ goals and objectives. Strategies, modification, accommodations, and techniques were shared and that’s when I thought to myself that this is a program that would help me meet the needs of students with disabilities in my classroom.

The program opened my eyes to things that were somewhat grey areas. I started to help educate students in the regular classroom about students with disabilities. Through one school organization, which fosters acceptance and school spirit, students with disabilities are encouraged to come out and showcase their school spirit by joining in on chants, cheers, and dances. It is a beautiful sight when you see these students out there giving their all with huge smiles on their faces.

The Master’s of Education Special Education program is beneficial. It can open eyes and hearts to the world that not many show an interest for. The M.Ed Special Education changed my life, my way of determining how students learn, and my relationship with families. Thank you, Special Education.

Venessa Renee Perez
5th Grade Teacher ,
Finagayen Elementary School
M.Ed. Special Education - University of Guam
May 2011

Hafa Adai. I graduated with a Masters degree in Special Education in December 2010 and a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood in 2005. I taught two years of kindergarten at St. Francis Catholic School and was a Development Director for three years at the same school. Being a special education teacher has given me the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the children who are usually shoved to the side.

I was inspired to get my master degree in “Special Education” by my nephew who has a learning disability. Although I acquired a degree in Early Childhood, I tried to use what I was taught for him. Previously when I would teach him, he would tell me , that he wasn’t a little child, I felt helpless and didn’t know how to teach him even with my degree in Early Childhood Education.

I initially intended to take my Masters in Special Education on line. I was glad to hear from one of my former Professors Dr. Marilyn Jackson, that the University of Guam had a Special Education Masters Program. I was dreading taking classes on line because I like a classroom environment and physical interaction rather than just a computer.

Having a Masters degree in Special Education has broadened my horizons. I used to be a good teacher, but now I feel that I a much broader awareness and sensitivity to my students’ needs. I must say that attending the University of Guam, “Special Education Program” under Dr. and Mrs. Fee has changed my life. This is one of the best decisions I have ever made. Thank you and Si Yu’us Maåse UOG.

Lourdes C. Eustaquio Hightower
St. Francis Catholic School, Yona

My name is Philip Xander Almonte and I am currently employed as a Resource Room teacher and Intervention teacher for Mathematics at Machananao Elementary School. I started my career as a Special Educator immediately after my graduation in the Fall of 2009 at the University of Guam and have been teaching for almost two years now. I was admitted at the School of Education under the Special Education program in the Fall of 2007 and since then became an active member of the Council for Exceptional Children, Guam Chapter and served as a President for one full term.

Although the reality of being a teacher was at first difficult and the experience since then has taught me valuable life and career lessons, my experiences being under the Special Education program at the University of Guam had been beneficial with my transition towards becoming the professional that I am today. The program had exposed us to the different scopes of this profession through our observations, practicum, and student-teaching in Resource rooms, Basic Life Skills, Enrichment rooms, and in the General Education classrooms in different schools from all grade levels. My colleagues and I have successfully completed our Praxis I and II tests upon graduation and to this day, we remain strongly connected with our advisers and master teachers, who have molded us to becoming the professionals that we are today. We continue to share our success as educators with them.

Philip Xander Almonte
Machananao Elementary School