Special Educator Found Support Through BVU
After 15 years as a paraeducator and substitute, Karena Haage decided it was time to follow her passion and pursue her master's in special education.
Karena Haage had been a paraeducator and substitute for nearly 15 years before she decided to continue her education and become a special education teacher. Four years after choosing the special education field, Haage now finds herself confidently teaching behavioral disorders at Hawthorne Elementary in Keokuk.
Through her years as a substitute, Haage worked in many special education classes and soon discovered that it was an area for which she truly had a passion. She had been considering returning to school for her master’s degree in special education but was hesitant as she was working two jobs and raising a high school student of her own. However, the working mom knew taking online classes was the only way to conveniently earn a master’s degree.
“I had to put the pedal to the metal and be determined, but you can definitely do it,” says Haage.
“I got a hold of Dr. Dewitt and within three days he had me in a program for student teaching. I was amazed that he pulled some strings and went out of his way to make it happen and get me through the program.”
Karena Haage
The flexibility of the online courses at BVU made her dream of obtaining a master’s a reality. Her daughter was very active her senior year in show choir and band, and Haage claims she didn’t have to miss out on being an active role in her last year of high school.
Dr. Lucas Dewitt, BVU Program Director for Special Education, provided the support needed for Haage to complete her master’s. When it came time for her student teaching, she was feeling unsure how she would balance that with her classes and two jobs, but she realized that she needed to do it so she could graduate and get the job she wanted. She had missed the deadline to sign up.
“I got a hold of Dr. Dewitt and within three days he had me in a program for student teaching. I was amazed that he pulled some strings and went out of his way to make it happen and get me through the program,” says Haage. “If he hadn’t done this, I wouldn’t have this job right now. It was awesome.”