Teresa L. Ottaviano
Assisting Director, Professional Development
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, YOU have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
- Harriet Tubman
Be a part of the solution - EDUCATE!”
- Teresa Ottaviano
Teresa L. Ottaviano is a New Jersey native and moved to Pennsylvania in 1987. She returned to school in 1992 to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. She believes that all people can learn regardless of their disabilities. She is an optimist. She believes that self-reflection is the stepping stone to excelling in one’s career. She believes that no task is too small to do well.
She has an Associate in Arts Degree in Education from the Community College of Philadelphia, a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education from Holy Family University and her Master’s in Education from Arcadia University. She graduated summa cum laude from all schools and was an active member of the University Status Action Plan and Student Success Transformation Team at Holy Family. Teresa is also the first on-line student to be inducted into the Alpha Epsilon Lambda society at Arcadia University.
Teresa was inspired to work in the field of special education from the memory of her late brother who passed away from Muscular Dystrophy. Teresa also was an active member of the Interact Club in high school. This club was designed to provide individuals with special needs an opportunity to meet others both with and without disabilities in a variety of natural settings. Teresa continues to seek out opportunities to help others in need by volunteering and preparing meals for Aids for Friends-a local non-profit agency serving the Greater Philadelphia area- which provides meals to people who are “shut-in” or home-bound. She has also been a member of the Montgomery County Big Brother’s/Big Sister’s Organization since 1994. Teresa was matched with a nine year old child named Alyssa in 1996 and although the agency involvement ceased when the child turned 18, Teresa and her “little sister” have created a bond that knows no age limit. Teresa’s relationship with Alyssa continues to flourish.
Teresa came to SPIN, Inc. during her student teaching semester at Holy Family University. Upon completing her degree, she was offered the position of Supervisor of Professional Development with SPIN Institute For Service Excellence where she actively supported the agency staff to acquire the necessary skills to support people with intellectual disabilities in and out of the classroom. Teresa was promoted to Assisting Director of Professional Development in 2008. She has developed and delivered trainings for the annual Philadelphia Alliance DSP Conference, conducted trainings at Point of Service and has continued to enhance her personal and professional leadership skills as part of her commitment to education and her “passion to reach for the stars to change the world” while creating a life of possibilities for all.
|
