1. Leslie’s Introduction EDU 695

2. Introduction Hello! My name is Leslie Perkins and I am from Walstonburg, North Carolina. I am married to my high school sweet heart of 28 years but married 22 years. We renewed our vows July of 2015. Together we have 1 daughter and 2 granddaughters.

3. Introduction Continues My career in education began as a teacher assistant for special needs students in 1997. I have been with special needs students for 17 years and I love it. I have worked with students with autism, BEH. LD, resource, self contained, OHI as well as other disabilities and I am now working with severe and profound students. I truly believe this is my calling from God. I am also a bus driver for special needs students. I also drive a after school bus. My morning begin at 4:30 am and it usually ends around 7:00 pm. My hobby is making flower arrangements and working in my yard. I love spending time with my family, taking vacations, and spending time with the Lord.

4. Area of Specialization MAED in Early childhood I currently have an Associates in Arts, BS in Liberal Studies, BS in Early Childhood, Masters in Special Education and almost done with my Masters in Early Childhood.

6. Goals As I continue with my education it is my goal to one day have my own facility for Special Needs Students. My goal while I am in this class is to go through it with an open mind and take from it what is needed to help me further my career in education. The MAED program has helped me achieve my goals because I am a step closer to having my own business.

7. Challenges The program that I experience was with EDU 671 research project. Beginning this project took me to a whole new level. Not knowing how to do a research project made me afraid. I over came this by reading up on how to do research projects and stop stressing over it.

8. Quote Education is not the learning of facts But the training of the mind to think By Albert Einstein