Kristina J.

Anderson
Cross Categorical Program ePortfolio
The journey began when I met my oldest daughter, May. In early 2003 I began doing foster
care for a local agency. Special Education had always been an interest of mine. May came into
my life in March 2003. The honeymoon period that the social workers talked to me about
lasted a couple months. When things began to get tough, I knew that I needed to pursue
further education in the area of special education. I had been an elementary principal for four
years when I met May. This was a perfect time to begin taking classes in Special Education.
With good intentions, Mays sister, Margaret moved in with us the summer after May did. My
plans were pushed back a few years, but in January 2006, I enrolled in UW-Eau Claires School
of Special Education in the area of EBD. Eight classes into the program, I met my three middle
children. At this time, I was a single mother of two, working a full and part time job, and
coaching high school girls basketball. Six months after the kids moved in I decided to take a
break from the special education program. I had every intention of finishing, but life got in the
way.
It wasnt until the fall of 2013 that I took a position as a teachers aide in a cross categorical
special education classroom working with CD Severe children. My decision to pursue my cross
categorical license has been both rewarding and fulfilling! In March, 2013, my husband was
diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. With six children at home, the youngest being just 10 months
old, this wasnt an ideal time to go back to school. The past year and a half has been very hard
on our family. The children in my classroom and the wonderful staff that I work with have
helped me through this challenging time in our lives. I am anticipating finishing the program,
and accepting a teaching position in the classroom that I was hired last fall as a teachers aide.