Going Back-To-School with Tourette Syndrome for children ages 8-11
Wake up – it’s time for school! Children 8-11 are invited to join us for a three-part webinar series led by Jennifer Stenger, PhD and Marissa Smolinksy where you will understand how to utilize your school accommodations, learn how to self-advocate, and be given friendship and bullying advice. It is highly encouraged to attend all three interactive sessions and we encourage parents to listen in with their children. We can’t wait to see you there!
Presenters:
Jennifer Stenger, PhD, has been in public education for 20 years, first as a high school English teacher and currently as a school counselor. She has also taught adjunct classes at two universities in Southern Illinois. In 2011, she received a PhD in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Her dissertation research was based on other public K-12 educators who, like herself, have Tourette syndrome. After completing her doctorate, she self-published The Life that Chose Us: Educators with Tourette Syndrome, based on this work. Since publishing in 2013, she has presented at multiple conferences and speaking engagements; she also meets with younger children with disabilities to promote positive self-image and self-confidence. She is energized when working with and serving the TS community, as she is driven to help school-aged children succeed both academically and socially. Jen has served on the Education Advisory Board since 2016.
Marissa Smolinsky, M.Ed., is a Special Education teacher in northern Virginia. She has an undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and a Master in Special Education from Northern Arizona University. Marissa has over 10 years of public school classroom experience in both the self-contained and inclusion settings. She has taught grades K-12 in Arizona and Virginia. She has Tourette herself, has taught students with Tourette and has a child with Tourette. Marissa is an education volunteer with the TAA and a member of the TAA Education Advisory Board.
