Sees Herself in Her Students

Having struggled with a learning disability as a child, Kristi Barragan understands the challenges special education students face firsthand. She is giving these students the specialized help she didn't get growing up.

Kristi works as a paraeducator for special education students and developed a series of "hidden picture puzzles" to engage them between assignments. The concept is so popular that teachers throughout the school have integrated the approach into their classrooms. Kristi is also contracted for two book series featuring the puzzles.

In her PO classes, Kristi is encouraged to think outside the box with approaches to learning-much like she did with the hidden picture puzzles.

"If I can get a student to stop acting out for five minutes and grasp a concept that they think they could never learn…when they get that look in their eye that says 'Wow I can learn this,' it is one of the most rewarding experiences."

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