Amanda Watson, a special education teacher at McHenry Primary
School, recently won the Haberman Award from the National Association
of Alternative Certification. She received the honor
at the organization’s annual conference in Atlanta.
The Haberman award, which is given to a teacher who has done
outstanding work with at-risk children, was given to Watson
after her yearlong practicum in a classroom environment with
preschool special education students.
Amanda Watson came to the classroom through the alternative
certification route. She graduated from Shorter with
a degree in psychology with the plan to pursue a career in
a related field. Watson moved away from Rome for a few
years and got her masters degree in social work from the University
of Texas at Arlington.
Watson worked as a therapist before returning to Rome in 2005. On
returning to Rome, she decided to use her skills to help children
in the classroom and took a position in a special education
class at McHenry Primary.
After a year of hard work, Watson finished her certification,
and continues to teach at McHenry.
In applying for the Haberman Award, Watson was required to
write a 500-word essay and submit a short video clip of herself
teaching to her class.
IN receiving the Haberman Award, Watson received a $1,000
scholarship and the opportunity to present at the National
Association of Alternative Certification annual conference. |