Chancy - He likes to hunt and fish!

This last year was quite a year for Chancy.  He graduated from Dana College after 5-1/2 years of college, at the end of January 2010, with a  Bachelor of Arts degree.  He was also a member of the Dana wrestling team for five years.  He had 3 majors, or areas of endorsement, elementary education, elementary special education and secondary special education.  He also got engaged to his girlfriend of  5 years Ciera Kracl.  Did I mention that he likes to hunt and fish?

Chancy’s three majors each required student teaching placements.  The requirements were 10 weeks for elementary education, 12 weeks for elementary special education and 12 weeks for secondary special education.  He student taught in Omaha, NE in 6th grade at Oak Valley Elementary.  He was scheduled to do his elementary special education placement at another school.  Before that took place, he had ingratiated himself with the staff administration and students to the point that the administration asked him if he would consider changing his student teaching for special education to that school.  It made great sense since he already knew and got along well with the staff and students.  He taught  in the ACP (alternate curriculum program) classroom with students from the 1st - 4th grade level.  These students had many needs, some were in wheelchairs, had walkers,  had to use communication devices or had autism.  He really enjoyed working with these students despite the challenges.  

Before he was scheduled to go and do his student teaching for secondary special education the head of Omaha Public Schools Human Resources and the principal of the school approached him and asked if he would be willing to fill a long term substitute position  in the special education resource room for the remainder of the school year.  With an opportunity to make some money, get some great experience and do something he liked  he decided to take them up on their offer.  He started the day after he completed his student teaching.