Terry F. Ezell

    My name is Terry Ezell, and I am studying to become a teacher of Special Education. Right now I work full-time as a paraprofessional at Escambia Westgate School, a center for children with special needs, and have worked there for over 16 years. Before working at Westgate, I worked for five years in a residential home for with people with disabilities.22 The classroom I work in now has students from Pre-kindergarten to kindergarten age, and I love it. I know that it is my calling to work with students with disabilities. Beginning this August, I will be doing my student teaching, and I am excited about having a classroom of my own, even if it is for only a little bit. After I finish my student teaching, I will graduate in December with a BA in Special Education.
        In addition to my classroom duties, I am the Education Support Professional (ESP) representative for all ESPs at Escambia Westgate. As the ESP representative, I attend all staff meetings with the principal and department heads to receive information to keep the ESPs informed of what is going on in our school and in the school district. 
        With the youth at my church, I work with the praise team dancers, young people from 8 to 18. Working with the church youth allows me to be an involved role model for them. Because I work closely with them, I can talk to them at "teachable moments" about dressing appropriately, personal hygiene, the importance of abstinence, and the importance of setting goals for themselves.