Meet the Teacher: Shannon Gleason

Shannon Gleason is a half-time special education teacher at Orono High School. She teaches two skills classes and a special education math class in the mornings. A native of Dubuque, IA, both her mother and sister are teachers.

“I did some in-home assisted living care for adults with disabilities and that’s what brought me to special ed,” said Gleason.

Gleason received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Iowa in 2010.  She has teaching licenses in elementary education (K-6), K-8 English/language arts, K-8 reading and K-8 instructional strategist I: mild to moderate.

This is her first year teaching high school students.

“I like building that rapport and figuring out what works for different kids,” said Gleason. “Especially in high school when their personalities are so developed.”

Last year, Gleason worked as a special education reading and math teacher at an elementary school in the Des Moines, IA.

While there, Gleason noticed that the school did not have a recycling program. She contacted the Des Moines Waste Center and learned that there was a grant available for purchasing recycling bins. Gleason worked with the principal to get the upfront money and with a grant writer to enable the school to be reimbursed later.

“We had recycling pick-up at our school, but there weren’t recycling bins in any of the classrooms, in the copy room or in the office,” said Gleason. “It wasn’t really being utilized.”

Gleason believes that supporting positive behaviors is the keystone to her classroom management. She said she makes an effort to point out students in the classroom who are positive role models.

Her past experiences include working as a tutor for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Iowa and working in a community home for three adults with cognitive disabilities. She also worked as a camp counselor and as a life guard.

In November, she will start working with groups of kindergarten through second grade students who may be struggling and may need extra help.

In her free time, Gleason likes to read and play sand volleyball. She was also a nanny for a local family last summer and she continues to care for them occasionally.