Inspired by her own struggles with dyslexia, Jennifer Schmidt, 42, wanted to help high school students realize they could be successful despite learning differently. She published a book, “Why Didn’t They Just Say That?” to inspire those like her.
The mother of two believes that having dyslexia made her a better teacher for students with disabilities. PeerSpective class was created in 2007 when Schmidt realized that the population of students with autism was not excelling socially. Taking it upon herself to change this, Schmidt and a colleague, Cindy Brinson, pioneered a class using peer models to teach social skills to students with autism and anxiety.
Defined by WebMD, Autism is “A complex neurobehavioral condition that includes impairments in social interaction and developmental language and communication skills combined with rigid, repetitive behaviors."
By giving students realistic settings through field trips to practice social skills, students are able to translate these skills effectively in social situations and in life after high school. An example of field trips have been doing a scavenger hunt at the mall involving asking questions to employees for the answers to the next clue. This prepares students for the future when they will need to ask a question to find an item in a store rather than just giving up because they are too afraid to ask for help.
The Fairborn High School graduate followed family footsteps to attend Wright State University earning her teaching degree in elementary education degree with a concentration in science, graduating class of 1997. Following her undergraduate, she returned to Wright State in 1999 to earn her masters in special education.
Like many Wright State students, Schmidt was a commuter student who had to work to pay for school. She said Wright state made this convenient for her to earn her degree, and that the support from WSU in her education classes is what inspired her to teach in the program.
Schmidt stated that her GPA was good, but her test scores were not the best, but Wright State teachers knew she was more than a number and very capable. Commuting to campus did not stop Schmidt from being involved. Between being a teaching assistant for group fitness at the Nutter Center and playing pickup soccer games, she became an aerobics instructor. Networking with a special education professor came back to benefit Schmidt after gaining her first teaching opportunity at Tecumseh Elementary in Xenia. At Tecumseh, Schmidt taught special education on a temporary teaching certificate for 4th - 6th grade.
Schmidt’s current involvement with WSU is the chair of the College of Education and Human Services Dean’s Advancement Council and is also an adjunct professor in the College of Education and Human Services.
Often putting herself in the shoes of the parent, Schmidt asks herself everyday, “If this was my child, who would I want them to be with most of the day?” Many people say, “It takes a special person to be a parent of a child with special needs." Schmidt responds to this with, “If I can help them and their child, then that is the real reward.”
Schmidt is celebrating her 21 years of teaching. Residing in Beavercreek with husband Brad, daughters Elyse and Corinne and her chocolate lab, Temple. Schmidt stays busy being an Intervention Specialist for Beavercreek High School changing lives of students every day.
You can purchase a copy of Jennifer Schmidt's book here.
