Jean Schubert is a native Houstonian, educated in the public school systems of Spring Branch. She then went on to earn a B.S. in psychology from the University of Houston in 2002. Jean believes in the public education system and has chosen to work in public schools as an educator. She currently works as a special education teacher.
(Photo Courtesy of Jean Schubert)
Tell me about your university education.
“I studied psychology at the University of Houston. At the University of Houston, we studied all the great thinkers in the field: Sigmund Freud, Burrhus Skinner, Jean Piaget, Ivan Pavlov, Marsha Linehan, Abraham Maslow, and Ivar Lovaas, just to name a few. Since I hold a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, my education weighs heavily towards my work as an educator. I was able to be a part of the Lovaas replication site, the Texas Young Autism Project at the University of Houston. I trained in the techniques of applied behavior analysis and went on to obtain my certification as a board-certified assistant behavior analyst in 2005. In 2014, I graduated with my Master of Arts in Special Education, specializing in developmental disabilities and autism from the University of Texas.”
What do you currently do?
“Currently, I work as a special education teacher in the school district of Crosby in Crosby, Texas, a suburb of Houston. I work with a variety of students who have special needs that include developmental delays, intellectual and physical disabilities, and autism. To meet the academic needs of my students, I collaborate with general education teachers, speech pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, vision and hearing specialist and mobility specialist.”
How does your education help you in your job?
“In order to teach in the state of Texas, I must be certified by the state, and this also requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. My education in psychology has helped me understand dual diagnosis in children and adults with autism. It has helped me identify and work with students with neurological impairments. My degrees are the most valuable to me. I have a deep understanding of how children learn and how deficits in cognition impact specific learning areas in children. My experience and knowledge of Lovaas and applied behavior analysis are resources that I use daily in my work with students having special needs. Students who struggle academically can experience stress and can exhibit problem behaviors as they struggle academically. Minimizing disruptive behaviors will help students learn and allow me to teach them coping strategies for better learning. I am glad to have the opportunity to use my education and experience in serving people with special needs, and improve my community.”
Richard Carranza is a reporter from the Houston, Texas area and published his first work in 1990. His education includes a bachelor of arts in chemistry from Cornell College, master of science in chemical engineering from Texas AM University, and a masters of business administration from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. In addition to writing, Richard is involved in the design of petroleum refineries, petrochemical plants, oil/gas facilities and ethanol plants. He also carries out writing assignments for publications like Chemical Processing Magazine, Maritime Executive Magazine and Chemical Online.