Jane Lefante
Assistive Technology Specialist
New England Assistive Technology Center - Oak Hill
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
I got my undergraduate degree in elementary and special education at Wheelock College.
Worked in special ed. I went back to school to get my master's degree in reading and language arts.
I had 4 children and joyously watched each of them progress through their development.
My training as a teacher turned out to be super handy as a parent!
I worked as a reading interventionist; I saw students struggling to learn without supports.
I got my assistive technology certification - I knew AT tools were the way to help these kids.
Cold called to volunteer at a resource center to gain experience in AT. I got hired instead!!
Testified in support of learning disabilities law; it passed! All my experiences came together!
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Windsor High School
Windsor High School
Certification/License
Reading Specialist (OCP)
Central Connecticut State University
Reading Specialist (OCP)
Central Connecticut State University
Career
Assistive Technology Specialist
We empower others to reach their fullest potential aided by Assistive Technology Tools and training.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Education
Technology
Problem Solving
Day to Day
Every day is a little bit different. We are constantly checking emails and returning phone calls then we'll head out to see consumers, agencies, work places or schools to evaluate the needs of individuals who are struggling. We write reports about those evaluations to make recommendations on assistive technology and provide training on assistive technology tools. We speak at conferences. We research strategies and new tech tools. We develop curriculum, build our Lending Library, consult with families. Highly Diverse!
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for college students
Learn to be open to and accept differences in others without judgement. There is more than one way to approach a task and express an answer. Explore your comfort level with unpredictable situations. Recognize that often we don't have an answer but be committed to look for one. Develop your ability to break things down into small pieces because not everyone can see them in the bigger picture. Sometimes when given a different way of approaching a task, people can succeed.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Certification/License
Reading Specialist (OCP)
Reading Specialist (OCP)
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Society in General:
"Don't be so sensitive. Toughen up. I don't 'see' anything wrong with that child. You can't do that - it's done this way."
