Geeti Ghose - Bio

I have a BA from Southern Illinois University with major in Psychology and a minor in Special Education. I received my MS in Education from California State University Hayward. I also earned my Multiple Subjects, Learning Handicapped and Severely Handicapped teaching credentials from CSU Hayward.

I have been a teacher for the Contra Costa County Office of Education for 24 years. My partner Joanne Lindevald and I have been working together for the past eight years along with other teachers on a project to adapt the California State curriculum for an alternate curriculum.

I was selected Teacher of the year in1993. I received Impact II Award in 1997 and a Teacher recognition award from CTAP in 1999. I was also recognized by the Development Disabilities Council. I am also the editor and founder of our quarterly school newsletter "Focus."

We received a County Technology Disseminator grant which was funded by the Dean and Margaret Lesher Foundation to set up this website.

I have a BA in English Literature and Journalism from CSU Sacramento. I also did undergraduate work at CSU Hayward where I was editor-in-chief of the Daily Pioneer and enjoyed hosting my own radio show on KSUH radio. I earned my Multiple Subject , SH Specialist credentials, and Master’s Degree in Special Education from St. Mary’s College. Since 1981, have worked for the Contra Costa County Office of Education Special Education Programs, first as an instructional assistant, then for the last 13 years as a teacher at the Liberty Transition Program in Brentwood, Ca.

I have been a Mentor teacher for my district and have written two books for Special Educators: Teaching Independent Choice-Making skills: A Handbook For Teachers and Parents of Children and Young Adults Who have Severe and/or Multiple Disabilities and Exploring the Seven Core Areas: Twenty-One Curriculum Activities Specifically Designed for SMH Students and Their Teachers.

As Geeti mentioned, we have been a part of an ambitious curriculum project linking the existing California State Curriculum Frameworks, Standards and Benchmarks to a curriculum guide for SH Students. This became the basis for the SEACO (Special Education Administrators of County Offices) Alternate Curriculum, which is currently being piloted statewide.

It is exciting to be in a field where growth and challenge are continuous! I am hopeful that this web project will support and inspire other educators of students who have severe and multiple disabilities and provide them with a resource, since specific curriculum materials that meet their needs are often hard to find.