May 2020 special education (7-12) graduate spotlights

07 May 2020    

Five special education (7-12) graduates – Amanda Barker, Samuel Barnes, Amanda Burrier, Kelsey Lang and Griffin Overbeck – share Q-and-As ahead of the May 9, 2020, commencement ceremony.

Amanda Barker

Thousand Oaks, California | Special Education (7-12) (Child, Youth and Family Studies minor)

What was the biggest factor in your decision to attend Nebraska?
It had a great program for special education.

When did you know you wanted to study special education?
In high school! I always wanted to be a teacher and loved volunteering for programs working with individuals with special needs.

What are your plans after graduation?
I will be moving to Jacksonville, Florida, and I have accepted a teaching position with Duval County Public Schools.

Samuel Barnes

Sioux City, Iowa | Special Education (7-12)

What was the biggest factor in your decision to attend Nebraska?
In my decision-making process, I decided to choose UNL for three different reasons. Coming from Sioux City, a majority of my high school classmates furthered their education at surrounding Iowa-based universities. I knew I wanted something different, plus the University of Nebraska-Lincoln was a short two hours and fifteen minutes from my Sioux City. Secondly, I have an older brother who lives and works for the city of Lincoln. I felt comfort in knowing that he would be in the same city if I were to choose UNL. Finally, my mom was an alum of the university. She pursued her degree in education as well and owned it! I knew I wanted to follow in her footsteps and felt proud to do so.

When did you know you wanted to study Special Education?
My interest in the special education community goes back to my volunteering experience in the adaptive P.E. at my high school. I was granted the opportunity of working with an amazing individual named Michael. He had such a positive impact on my calling in life. I wanted to study special education because I knew I was going to make a difference. I could have gone to school for anything else, but knowing how I could help just one person is all the satisfaction I need at the end of the day.

What are your plans after graduation?
My plans after graduation involve establishing my new teaching career. I have happily accepted a seventh grade special education teaching position with Lincoln Public Schools at Lefler Middle School! I am thrilled to become a part of the strong Lefler community. My time at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has been special and I value every experience I now have.

Amanda Burrier

Castle Rock, Colorado | Special Education (7-12) (Psychology minor)

What was the biggest factor in your decision to attend Nebraska?
I have an older sister, Jacquelyn, who is my very best friend. She came to UNL a year before me and truthfully, she was my biggest factor in attending. Not only to be close to my sister, but because I heard such amazing things about University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She would rave about the amazing "Nebraska-Nice" people, the spirit of being a Husker on Game Day, the feeling of the first Tunnel Walk, how beautiful the campus was, the supportive Greek Life, and the overwhelming feeling of "home" she gained. I came to visit UNL and felt as though this was where I needed to be, in Nebraska, but also with her.

When did you know you wanted to study special education?
I began helping out in a Life Skills classroom while I was in high school. High school was a rather difficult time in my life, but helping out in this classroom gave me a reason to look forward to going to school every day. I always knew that I was put on this earth to help others. It was here that I realized my purpose was to help students with disabilities learn and feel a sense of belonging. The same feeling of belonging that I found when I began this journey. It was also here that I realized I have a passion for teaching skills that enable students to be independent members of society. Teaching how to live independently, to count money, to practice proper hygiene, to use adequate social skills, to know how to interact with customers, to express themselves and advocate for their feelings. I will devote my life to furthering these skills within my students.

What are your plans after graduation?
After graduating I will be moving back to Colorado to begin my teaching career at Westminster High School teaching SSN (Life Skills). It's a dream come true. Go Wolves!

Kelsey Lang

Papillion, Nebraska | Special Education (7-12)

What was the biggest factor in your decision to attend Nebraska?
The best decision I ever made was to go to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. I made that decision easily because it has always felt like a home away from home. I have been around UNL since I was a kid going to many sporting events. I also factored in that I have seen many of my past teachers go through the teaching program here, and they are some of the best teachers I had growing up.

When did you know you wanted to study special education?
Like others, I found my calling in high school. I am very fortunate that inclusion was a priority in my high school. One of my class periods was a peer aid class where my peers and I would work at our school coffee cart for that period. I also participated in Unified Sports with my peers. We played basketball, soccer, and track. It was a class period I always looked forward to going to, and it was a joy of my day. I loved working with students with disabilities so much that I decided to make it my future.

What are your plans after graduation?
I will be teaching in Millard Public Schools as a special education resource teacher at Millard North Middle School. I hope to get started on my master’s soon!

Griffin Overbeck

Downers Grove, Illinois | Special Education (7-12) (Psychology, Education minors)

What was the biggest factor in your decision to attend Nebraska?
I had a feeling like I found a home the first time I stepped on campus. Everyone I connected with was so welcoming and I felt an undeniable positive community environment that I wanted to be a part of.

When did you know you wanted to study special education?
In high school, I helped in our adaptive PE class as a PE leader. This was the class I enjoyed the most in high school and always left happy at the end of the period. I learned so much from my peers and knew I wanted to continue to work with a similar population of students.

What are your plans after graduation?
I am going to be a Special Education teacher at Park Middle School in Lincoln Public Schools.