Project SUCCESS

My undergraduate degree is in Communication Science Disorders, and within the field of Special Education I have taught LIFE skills, provided homebound instruction for medically fragile students, and provided In-home and Community Based/Parent training for families of children with autism and other developmental disorders, helping those children generalize behavior skills mastered at school into the home and community. This year I will be working as a speech therapy assistant for the school district. My main areas of interest in Special Education lie in helping students find methods of communication that are safe and appropriate, as well as promoting acceptance and inclusion within the school and community.

I have been in behavior the entirety of my professional career. I started off working for the Texas Department of Corrections, then moved for Juvenile Services and then to Public Education working in Adaptive Behavior Settings. It was while working for the Texas Department of Corrections that I began to develop my passion for ABA as I wanted to know what caused individuals to do the things they did. After developing this passion I wanted to instill a change and thinking I could make a difference I moved to Juvenile Services in an attempt to prevent or deter them from the path that they were on to keep them out of prison. After working at Juvenile it was very obvious to me that preventative measures needed to be put in place in an alternate setting other than incarceration therefore I went into the field of Public Education. My career the last eight years has been very fulfilling, as I have attempted to make an impact on the lives of the individuals I come across on a daily basis. Although I enjoy working with students that have disabilities such as Autism, I really enjoy the Adaptive Behavior setting especially the self-contained classrooms. I have always had joy in working with those that no one else wanted or desired to work with. 

I joined Project SUCCESS because I was excited about the prospect of expanding my expertise through coursework that delves into educational psychology, curriculum development, and advanced teaching methodologies. Moreover, I am eager to engage in meaningful discussions with fellow educators to gain diverse perspectives and share practical insights.

I enjoy being a licensed foster home, to be able to provide children with a stable environment.

I have been employed with Bryan ISD as a one-on-one Paraprofessional in special education, a Pre-K Paraprofessional, 2nd and 4th grade Math Tutor, an Elementary SAILS teacher, and my current role as an elementary Adaptive Behavior Teacher. My area of interest in special education is adaptive behavior and early childhood special education

I joined Project SUCCESS because I was interested in obtaining my Master’s degree in Special Education from Texas A&M (I received my undergrad in Special Education at Texas A&M in 2021). I have also been interested in becoming a BCBA because I am passionate about early intervention. Becoming a BCBA will allow me to continue to work in the school and also provide additional assistance to my student’s and their families on creating and implementing a plan for their success in- and outside of the classroom.

A fun fact about me is I am extremely adventurous and I am willing to try anything at least once.

I graduated from Texas A&M University in May of 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies and an emphasis in Reading/Language Arts. While most of my career has been spent in the general education classroom, a desire to take a break from the focus on standardized testing and make a meaningful impact led me to become a certified special education teacher. It was during the four years I spent as a Life Skills teacher and working with students who had severe mental, physical, and cognitive impairments that still remain to be my most rewarding yet.

When I learned about Project SUCCESS, I realized it embodied everything I believed in as an educator. We believe that all education is inherently special and that every student, regardless of their abilities or labels, deserves to be educated in a manner tailored to their unique learning needs. Project SUCCESS is passionate about educating like-minded educators to ensure that all students have access to a supportive and enriching learning environment with the opportunity to succeed and thrive academically and personally.

A fun (maybe not quite unique) fact about me is that I was the 1995 SWTA (SouthWest Teachers Association of Performing Arts) state twirling champ as a sophomore in high school and was awarded a twirling scholarship to SFA in Nacogdoches. However, when I graduated high school two years later, I decided I’d rather attend Texas A&M University! It’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!

My name is Alizae Dollins, I have a B.A .in communications as well as a M.S. in Sports Management from the University of Kansas. I am currently a 5th grade resource MATH teacher in Bryan ISD. I have also taught SOAR (adaptive behavior — which is now a part of the BEST program) and co-taught science at the middle school level. One thing I love about special education is the fact that I am able to spend more time with students teaching them social skills that parallel academics instead of just strictly focusing on academia.

I became interested in the Project SUCCESS program because of the potential impact the program could have on members of the BCS community. As a teacher, anytime an opportunity to increase skills and knowledge in the field of special education is available, I want to take it because I know in the end these valuable skills will make me a better teacher supporting my vision of shaping students’ futures. I hope that following the completion of this program, I am able to obtain my BCBA certification and become a working BCBA in my current district to help in areas of need.

I have lived in two other countries and have attended 12 different schools throughout my education career (Texas A&M University being my 12th).

I am a special education teacher at Creek View Elementary in College Station ISD. I teach in a specialized program for students ages three and older who need significant support in communication, motor skills, social-emotional development, and cognitive skills. My areas of interest include early childhood education, functional communication, low-incidence disabilities, and behavior interventions. I am committed to fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment, and I strive to help each student reach their fullest potential.

I have two beautiful cats named Stella and Phoenix!

I have worked in education for eight years. I spent one year as a special education instructional assistant before becoming a teacher. I taught for five years as a bilingual teacher, and I finished my first year as a special education teacher this past May. I will continue working as a special education teacher this upcoming school year. With regard to special education, I am interested in the area of bilingual special education. It is my belief that bilingual students in special education should have access to their native language and be supported in becoming biliterate citizens.

I joined Project SUCCESS to enhance my knowledge and skills in the area of special education. I was particularly drawn in by the word “community.” Education has always extended beyond a school’s walls, therefore special educators should strive to make meaningful connections between their students and their communities. Only then can they attempt to successfully navigate society and advocate for themselves.

A fun fact about myself is that I am an avid fan of Pokémon. Students who didn’t know my name would often call me the “Pokémon Teacher.” I found this endearing, and I have since made Pokémon a part of my classroom environment and culture.