In today’s episode, Drs. Lisa Dieker and Rebecca Hines talk with Dr. Sam Mrstik. Tune in as she shares how her personal journey inspired her passion for special education and working internationally.
In today’s episode, Drs. Lisa Dieker and Rebecca Hines talk with Dr. Sam Mrstik. Tune in as she shares how her personal journey inspired her passion for special education and working internationally.
Welcome to practical access. I'm Lisa Dieker.
Rebecca Hines:And I'm Rebecca Hines.
Lisa Dieker:And Becky, who do we have with us today?
Rebecca Hines:Lisa, I'm glad you asked. Today we're gonna be talking with Dr. Samantha Mrstik. We all know her as Sam. And Sam is a professor at Georgia Gwinnett. University, and she has a lot of experience to share. She has taught internationally in six different countries. She's a former la Teacher of the Year, she did her dissertation in Botswana. And she's she's kind of an all around
Samantha Mrstik:So first of all, forgive my voice, I'm getting over a bit of a cold. So I am at Georgia Gwinnett. College, which is a part of the University of Georgia system state system. And I am teaching special education specifically in the area of mild to moderate. We have a small program with let's see what we have right now for professors. And we have two programs, one for what we call
Lisa Dieker:I love it well, and you know, we've known you for quite a bit of time. And I love the fact that, you know, that's what you're doing. It's really who you are, you really are that organic person who loves to make a difference at that grassroots level. I wonder if you might share with our listeners kind of your personal journey of what got you to where you are today. And, and I'm going to just because I know you if you don't mind sharing?
Samantha Mrstik:Sure. So I can honestly say that I was born to be a special ed teacher, like literally, because I literally was born with a disability. So what that means is I was diagnosed with a learning disability and my first time in third grade, because it was so cool. I stay for a second year. And I remembered I hated school. I mean, like not just a kid saying that I hated school, it was
Lisa Dieker:And I know for you, you know, having been around you for several years, you had a tipping point where a teacher kind of took you aside and said, Let's talk. What What was that tipping point that kind of moved you from the class entertainer, to actually getting a degree and just reminding our listeners today that you somehow figured out math because you have a doctorate a PhD means Yeah, I think it's a good point for you.
Samantha Mrstik:When I was in high school, I had a set of special ed teachers who would talk to me quite honestly about to pull me aside and say, Hey, Sam, do you think you might be a little bit different? I mean, you seem to not have any problems in reading. And I just by that point, would blow it off. I wanted to go to work. I liked my job. I didn't want to stay at school all day. So I was learning through her privately, how to teach English.
Rebecca Hines:You know, Sam, that's, that's a great, that's a great story. And so many things about that really resonate. You know, I think any any of us who have worked with kids with problem behaviors, in particular can see exactly that, how behaviors are so often just avoidance or, you know, I would rather I would rather look bad than stupid if I have a disability, you know, a learning
Samantha Mrstik:We hear you. We hear you. And what I mean by that is we're pretty brave. We, the students with LD the adults with LD, and the fact is, we can read your body language. And we know what you think of us. Or don't, maybe. And I remember when I was a kid thinking, well, there, this teacher is whispering about me, and I know it, I can hear that. And I remember thinking, as I grew up, I remember being in an IEP
Lisa Dieker:Great and deep message as well. And you know, one of the things, Sam, that is also unique about you is you you have found a way to travel. But you didn't just go visit countries like other people who go on cruises. You were like, Oh, let me go teach here for eight weeks, or here for 16 weeks. And let me treat, you know, teach in a container if I remember right, and you've done a
Samantha Mrstik:I learned I learned a lot, obviously, but in the different cultures treated students with disabilities quite differently. And I feel like I'm going into the next part of your question, when, when a student with a disability comes from a different culture, that could mean a lot of different things. And it's worth digging into that culture just a little bit as a teacher to
Lisa Dieker:Great advice, great advice. And then I'm going to move to the language arts teacher in you, you know, Teacher of the Year, what are what are the best things you did? Or you believe you're training your teachers to do? For that kid who has checked out To Kill a Mockingbird is gonna kill me to read it? No. I have lots of thoughts about what I can write on this paper and they're not things you should read, you know? So what what is it that you would be your go to strategies in language arts class for that kid who's done, just done?
Samantha Mrstik:Well, one is just an overall teacher strategy. If the kid doesn't like ya, the kids not gonna do it. So personality and really knowing your students what they need and who they are is probably number one. In any class, if they don't care about you. Yeah, they don't really want to write the paper quite as much. Next, if there's something they like, you can tap into that and that's a
Rebecca Hines:As someone who also taught language arts say, My, my, my first degree in first teaching was in that area, those are all great pieces of advice, you know, for for all kids. Not Not everyone. You know, not everyone enjoys the same thing. And lots of lots of classes, can push kids harder and give more choice for sure. So taking it to the other side. And now let's think about that
Samantha Mrstik:I remember as a kid, I would have to have, and probably everybody remembers this the 50 math problems you would have to do. And prior to receiving an IEP, those 50 math problems would take about three hours every night. And that was hell, because I also have ADHD, I can't sit for very long. And now you want me to do what and I gave it, and then my mom is threatening my life. And
Rebecca Hines:So, you know, as you think about I think that's a great point that a lot of us probably have that experience, in know, kind of intuitively that it's those personal connections that keep that keep kids interested. And you've alluded to that several times. So my final question for you is, you know, as you look at what's happening right now, and kids are online, so those personal
Samantha Mrstik:it's really, really different. And you know, I think about it all the time, because I have currently a student teachers who are in the field, and I'm watching them upload to a program called go react when watching their videos, their zoom videos. So this is a different world. And we talk about this sometimes in my classes, how to establish relationship with students when you're not
Rebecca Hines:Mm hmm.
Samantha Mrstik:I like the way you did this. I feel like Oh, do you want to talk so and so I mean, she really just spent a lot of time acknowledging them.
Lisa Dieker:That's great. So my last question for you is, is thinking about that third grade Sam. And she's she's sitting in third grade twice, as you said so eloquently the opening, what would be your advice to the third grade Sam sitting out there that are struggling, and the advice to their parents? now knowing what you know, today,
Samantha Mrstik:so to the kid, to the kid, I would say, I know it feels like you don't have this in there.
Unknown:But if you could just try. If you could just take breaks little chunks and and infuse some exercise in it, because that's something I needed. It could really help you go far. And it's really hard when you're in third grade. So look at yourself as a professional, you know, how many years later. But the reality is, I think I would like to tell myself that. I know what people say, but not
Lisa Dieker:Well, thank you as always, it's such a privilege and you, we could go on and on maybe maybe future podcasts about each country you've been to visit. But we really appreciate you taking this time for joining us in folks, if you have questions for us, you can send them on our Facebook at practical access, or you can send us a Tweet @accesspractical. Thank you again, Dr. Mrstik. With the Dr. In front of your name
Samantha Mrstik:Thanks, guys. Good to see everybody.
Rebecca Hines:Hi, Sam.
Samantha Mrstik:Bye