Where are they now? North Allegheny's Savanna Barton

During her three years in A.W. Beattie’s Early Childhood Education program, Savanna Barton always saw herself working in a classroom of elementary learners.

She carried those aspirations until her senior year of college when she gained field experience at The Watson Institute, a school that serves the educational and social-emotional needs of children with multiple disabilities.

“I realized then that my heart was never going to leave Watson,” she said.

Savanna was a great alum and professional, ECE instructor Mrs. Cari Ludwig said, to bring back to the Career Center to speak with students about her journey in school and education and how it led to her career.

She recently spent several hours with current ECE students discussing her work and the resources and objects she utilizes that aren’t in a traditional preschool or school age general education setting.

“I’ve talked to Mrs. Cari’s students before when I was still in college, but it was really awesome to be in the position I am in now and explain to the ECE students that Beattie was the first steppingstone to my career,” Savanna said. “I don’t think I would be where I am now without Beattie.”

Savanna, a 2016 North Allegheny graduate, credits her experience in ECE with preparing her for post-secondary education and her career.

“After all these years, Mrs. Cari is still my biggest role model and the person I want to impress the most in my career path,” Savanna said. “She prepared me for the field of education in more ways than I can express. Not only does she teach important fundamental concepts for Early Childhood Education, but she puts her entire heart into making her students feel like they are worth it. Beattie is a wonderful place to learn and be.”

In her role as a Life Skills Support teacher, Savanna has eight students and teaches them functional reading, math, science, and life skills lessons. She also implements goals from their Individualized Education Plans.

Each of her students receive intensive Occupational, Speech, Vision, and Physical Therapy throughout their school week, and Savanna co-teaches weekly lessons with therapists.

“My students are my joy,” Savanna said. “They keep me going every day and are my reason. Seeing my students functionally use their arms, legs, and minds because of the hard work me, their therapists, and themselves have put in is unmatched. My students are incredibly resilient. Being a Special Education Teacher, it truly takes a village, so another thing I enjoy is having such an amazing team for each of my students. Having so many people to bounce ideas off of for student activities is a huge bonus. All in all, my job is so rewarding, and that is what I selfishly enjoy the most.”

Seniors in the ECE program will also take a field trip to Savanna’s classroom in May.

She hopes the visit to The Watson Institute will be an eye-opening experience that takes students out of their comfort zone.

“If someone would have told me in high school that I would be in my current position at The Watson Institute, I would have shut it down immediately because it was out of my comfort zone,” she said. “I’m so glad I took the leap of courage in college that led me to my happiest place!”