Sandy Anderson-O'Banion

Contact Information

Phone:
970-943-3019

Email:
sobanion@western.edu

EDUCATION

1983 Western State College of Colorado, Gunnison, CO

M.A., Special Education

1979 Western State College of Colorado, Gunnison, CO

B.A., Elementary Education/Special Education; Minor: German and Psychology

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Integrated general/special education; teacher preparation and programs in schools; balanced approaches for teaching reading-merging phonics strategies with whole language; transcendent learning-addressing spiritual and emotional intelligences

CERTIFICATIONS

• 1994 Special Education (K-12) - LD/EH/EMH, State of Arizona
• 1978 Special Education (K-12) - LD/EH/EMH, State of Colorado
• 1979 Elementary Education (K-8), State of Colorado

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Instructor, WesternState College of Colorado

Teach undergraduate courses (psychological foundations of education, introduction to education for diverse learners, educational partnerships, curriculum and instructional approaches for students with high incidence disabilities, affective focus on individual needs); supervise field experiences; hold seminars; development of special education program proposal; coordinate community/college partnerships; areas of expertise and training include collaborative teaching models, building personal and social responsibility, positive behavior strategies, crisis management for emotional challenges, needs based special education, development of effective IEPs, infusing individual learner needs into the regular curriculum, individual planning sessions, thematic-literature based instruction, merging whole language and phonics, outdoor education for individuals with disabilities. 1997-present.

Teacher, Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District - Arizona, Montrose School District RE-1J

Taught elementary 1st and 2nd graders; resource; educational consultant for establishing integrated program for students with behavioral/emotional challenges. 1980-1994.

Affiliate Faculty, Adams State College

Taught graduate level courses (exceptional child in the regular classroom, needs based programming in special education). 1989-1992.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• Parent Education and Action for Kids (PEAK)
• TASH
• Council for Exceptional Children