Student Accessibility Center Recognizes Efforts "Above And Beyond"

(Left to Right) Harold Hiken, Michelle Harrell, Linda Krause and Judith Rozie-Battle were presented with Above and Beyond Awards from the UWM Student Accessibility Center. (Not present at the ceremony were Michael Fountain and Erland (Erl) Olfe.)

MILWAUKEE - The University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee Student Accessibility Center honored faculty and staff who work effectively with students with disabilities at its annual Above and Beyond Awards presentation May 3.

"These individuals have taken the extra steps needed to ensure that students whose disabilities often require creative solutions have an even playing field. Just as important, they have maintained the rigorous academic standards to which our students are entitled," says Vicki Groser, director of the center.

The recipients and the communities they reside in are Michael Fountain, senior lecturer in Comparative Literature and Hebrew Studies; Michelle Harrell, multicultural studies librarian at the Golda Meir Library; Harold Hiken, math lecturer and math program coordinator; Linda Krause, associate professor of architecture, Shorewood; Erland (Erl) Olfe, assistant dean in charge of student academic services in the College of Letters and Sciences; and Judith Rozie-Battle, assistant professor of social work, Helen Bader School of Social Welfare.

Those recognized were asked about their philosophy of education and their interactions with students with disabilities.

Fountain, for example, believes all students have disabilities of some sort. Some can be seen and need special arrangements for testing and note taking, while other disabilities, such as the spiritual, cannot be seen.

Harrell says that she feels very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with a wide range of students, and finds that rewarding. In addition, she feels especially grateful for the opportunity to work with students with disabilities, because "I'm helping to make it just a little easier for them to reach their personal, educational and professional goals."

Hiken, who recently retired from 32 years of teaching at Whitefish Bay High School, says he "loves to work with students who either had problems in earlier years or who are returning to college after being away for many years."

Krause, who says she loves teaching and particularly teaching young, aspiring architects, says it is true that students interested in the arts and architecture often seem to have special needs, since "it's not uncommon for students who have difficulty reading and writing to be encouraged to draw." A recent experience with a hearing impaired student--creating a digital file of the slides shown in lecture--actually benefited the entire class. "Over the years I have found that learning to teach those with disabilities has caused me to rethink pedagogic strategies, and certainly has made me a better teacher."

Olfe, when asked his thoughts on working with students, replied: "Always set high standards for students and provide the help they need to achieve their educational and career goals."

"Teaching provides an opportunity to develop students academically, but more importantly, to help shape them as individuals," says Rozie-Battle. "Teaching allows us to mentor students, a role that must be taken seriously. Finally, I believe that there are three keys to successful relationships with students--access, support and advocacy." ###

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