A new radio talk show on autism, “Remarkably Able,” promotes quality of life and creating tangible outcomes for teens and young adults with autism and related disabilities. Hosted by Jackie Marquette, Ph.D, it features a new topic and expert guest each week. Listeners can call or email their comments or questions for Marquette and program guests during the broad- cast. Questions about the show or requests for discussion topics can be directed to (Jackie@drjackiem arquette.com). “Remarkably Able” is broadcast Mondays 9-10 PM, Pacific time by KFNX News, a talk radio station in Phoenix, AZ. Arizona listeners can tune in at AM 1100; others can listen to the live broadcasts from the KFNX Web site:  www.1100KFNX.com.

Excerpted from the National Center on Secondary Education and Transition E-News, which can be found at  http://www.ncset.org/enews/

Goodbye

• Margaret Cisco — Margaret recently joined the ranks of the retired, but she won’t be lying on the beach relaxing any time soon. Margaret took her interest and skills in assistive technology to assistive technology of alaska. (atla), where she is working as an a.t. specialist. Margaret fi rst joined SESA as an education specialist in the orthopedic/other health impaired program in 1988. after twenty years of working at SeSa, she never lost her vision for tapping the potential of people with extreme physical challenges. Many people throughout the state will miss Margaret’s expertise and guidance. Those of us at SESA will miss her willingness to contribute to SESA newsletters, process student referrals, and encourage SESA staff to “go the extra mile” for students and their school teams.

Welcomes!

• 

  Beth Burris — Beth Burris joined SESA this September as an education specialist in the autism impairment program. a native of Southern california, she graduated from california State university northridge in child development with credentials for both Multiple Subject and education Specialist: Moderate to Severe. Beth served as a peace corps volunteer in the dominican republic in the Special education sector, and recently returned from china where she worked as an autism consultant. regarding her recent move to SESA, Beth shared, “i have been so blessed by the warm welcome and gracious hospitality of my co-workers and the administration at SESA. I look forward to this new adventure in Alaska.”

• Kathy Dersham — Kathy is a new SESA program assistant for the lid program. A long-time Anchorage resident, she is originally from the West Coast, but now considers herself an Alaskan. Kathy has earned an associate of arts degree from UAA, and enjoys reading, studying things of interest, and spending time with friends and family. Kathy has successfully taken on many complex projects since arriving at SESA, and we are happy to welcome her to the team!
• Judy Fain — Judy joined the ranks of SESA specialists when the position for the Bring the Kids Home program coordinator opened over the summer. She brings 25 years of education experience to her position: 15 years as an elementary classroom teacher, and ten years as an elementary school counselor. Judy earned a BA degree from the university of texas and an MS degree from texas A & M. She has one daughter who lives in Austin, Texas. Judy and her husband, Terry, moved from Texas to Eagle River last year. They are active in their church, and love hiking, biking and Alaska sightseeing.
• Jeanette Milhollin —Jeanette joined SESA in September as a program assistant for AARC and the Bring the Kids Home project. Originally from Boise, Idaho, she spent over 19 years in Colorado before making the move to Alaska. Jeanette worked in various offices in the Anchorage area for over 15 years before coming to SESA. She enjoys getting together with family, camping, reading, snow machining, and traveling this great state of alaska. Jeanette’s experience and talents are a wonderful fit to the SESA team, and we are pleased to welcome her!
• Deborah Oakes — Debby joined SESA’s multiple disabilities (MD) program upon retirement from the Oklahoma School System after 29 years of service. She began her career in public schools, and then was hired by the Oklahoma School for the Blind in Muskogee, oklahoma, where she stayed for nearly 25 years. Debby worked primarily as a special education teacher for high school students, where she wrote a grant for a community-based work program. She also helped develop and teach the school’s first class for students with cortical visual impairment (cvi)) and for students on the autism spectrum. Debby was certifi ed in Oklahoma in the areas of visually impaired, autism, deaf-blind, and multiple disabilities. Her reason for coming to Alaska: “My dream was to work in Alaska, and to work with such knowledgable people. I feel lucky to have fulfilled that dream.”
• Gigi Sestak — Gigi joined SESA in august 2008 as an educational specialist in the autism program. After earning a B.S. in Sociology, she worked in a juvenile probation residential treatment facility for two and a half years while completing her Master’s degree in special education at Texas State University in San Marcos. Gigi was the lead teacher for an inclusion program, and provided behavioral and academic support to students identified with autism, serious behavioral disabilities, and emotional disturbance. In order to gain experience working with a vastly diverse population, Gigi moved from texas to new york where she began working in the public school system of New York City. She taught both life skills and music to elementary students identified with multiple disabilities, autism, and emotional disturbance, and later as a kindergarten teacher of students with autism spectrum disorder. Gigi recently decided to leave the urban life and head for the mountains of Alaska, where she anticipates a promising and exciting future at SESA.

Editor’s Note:
IDAMARIE PICCARD retired from the Anchorage School District in1999 as the department chairperson of the district’s secondary intensive needs program. Shortly after retiring, she began consulting and substituting with the Anchorage and Mat-Su School Districts for several years. In December 2006, SESA contacted Idamarie about working part-time with educators and their students with multiple disabilities. She was somewhat reluctant at first, but the position sounded so interesting and intriguing that she scheduled an interview. She accepted the position in January 2007. Since that time, she has enjoyed the wonderful opportunity to work with educational professionals and students across rural Alaska. Idamarie has combined the opportunity to travel throughout the state, meet wonderful people, and share her wealth of special education experience.

One might wonder how someone who had already retired and is “pushing 70” could meet the demands of rural Alaskan travel and all of its accompanying challenges. The article that follows illustrates how “Challenge” could be Idamarie’s middle name. It shows how her dedication, enthusiasm, and goal setting extends far beyond her professional career, and has helped to keep her young and “tough.”

A poster in the UAA locker room in January of 1982 announced the First Annual Alaska Gold Nugget Triathlon (AK GNT) for women. It would consist of a 1,500-yard swim, 20K bike, and 5K run, and would take place in May at Dimond High School. It sounded intriguing and like it might be an event catering to “swimmers” vs. “runners.” I thought, “I can do that,” registered, and participated in the first ever GNT. Training sessions were held during the spring to familiarize participants with “triathlons,” because few had heard of the term in the early 1980s. By the day of the race, 68 women had registered and participated. That initial event sparked my enthusiasm and fondness for triathlons. This passion continues to this day, both as an advocate for newcomers trying their first race, and as a participant.

Since 1982 (at age 43), I have participated in 32 sprint triathlons: 26 sanctioned GNTs (all of them); six Icebreaker Triathlons (held on the last weekend in april); one full triathlon (1.5K swim, 40K bike, and 10K run); and three St. Patrick’s Coed Relay Triathlons (swim, cross-country ski, and run). How many more GNTs I complete will depend on my fitness and health each January. I play each additional year by ear. The third weekend in May is GNT time, and fortunately, nothing has kept me from participating in the yearly event. Only three racers remain who have participated in all the GNTs since 1982!

If I am unable to participate in the future, I will continue to volunteer for the event. My daughter and granddaughter have joined me in each of the last six years, which provides an incentive to “keep going” by participating in mother-daughter and grandmother-granddaughter teams. This year, participation by a SESA team is a possibility. Who will come out in January 2009? I know Michelle Radin (SESA specialist) will be one triathlete!

But, back to my first GNT. As the event approached, the swim distance had been changed from 1,500 to 500 yards (so much for the swim advantage!). Despite this change, I thought that it would still be a great race. It was also the beginning of what was to become a “given;” I would participate. Through the years, triathlons have been fun, yet challenging. They are a great way to stay fit, give purpose to training, experience camaraderie among participants, provide individual accomplishment within a group event, and a way to set goals and achieve them.

Usually in January, I focus my training toward the GNT . Circuit training three times per week has been a consistent factor in my life since 1985. Swimming has always been my favorite way to stay fit, while biking has been a spring and summer activity since my children were small. I view running as, well – a weak cog in the wheel. Put it all together and you have a triathlon. I have taken clinics to improve in certain areas, been serious about training some years, and just participated in others. Sometimes my job kept me from training seriously. Having built up a physical base over the years has made participation in the “sprint triathlons” achievable, as I can pace myself during the race.

Over the years I’ve consistently placed in the middle of my age group, and the top 50% of the field. The last four years I dropped to the bottom 50% of the field, but remained solid in my age group. When I’m at the top of my age group (i.e., one of the oldest in a five-year grouping), I usually place in the middle of the field. But, when I am one of the youngest of my age group, I have been one of the top three finishers for my age group. When I train seriously, I usually place near the top.

It goes without saying that staying in shape is “age-defying.” It increases one’s energy, relieves stress, prevents countless age-related medical issues, and has a positive impact on attitude. Moving into a new age group this year (over 70) will bring some serious competition from three remarkable athletes. I’ll have to train to be competitive, but plan on placing at least fourth.

Download Fall 2008 in PDF format

What’s Inside:

• SESA Board & Staff
• Staff Goodbye and Welcomes
• Raising Research Funds
• New Radio Talk Show “Remarkably Able”
• Transition / Self Determination Resources
• New Project Comes to SESA
• Conferences & Workshops
• Insert:  Transition and Self-Determination