WVU Potomac State College STEM and Physics professor Joan Vogtman was recently recognized for her efforts - both subtle and direct – in assisting students with known and unspoken disabilities on their paths to educational success.
The WVU Office of Student Accommodations recently recognized nine faculty and staff members for “going out of their way” to make the University more accessible to students with disabilities. The only representative of PSC on that list of nine was Vogtman.
“Sometimes it is the little things that students don’t want to ask about, things that don’t rise to the level of accommodations but can make their educational experience significantly easier,” Vogtman said.
Sometimes, a student may be struggling with learning, but the struggle has nothing to do with the material being presented but in fact how that material is being presented – and even in some cases, the material being used to teach the material. And often, just a slight change of lesson plan can make a significant impact on the success of a student.
Vogtman selection could have been attributed to how she taught her students to protect an egg from a four-story fall; or because she wrote a grant to install a ramp; or because she championed a cause to install elevators. But actually, the reason she was singled out was plain as two colors on a whiteboard.
“Red and green markers,” Vogtman said. “Avoiding red and green markers. Red-green color blindness is something that you wouldn’t think about, and it can be exhausting for the student to explain, but if I just avoid grabbing red and green dry-erase markers and use a purple pen to grade, I can make sure that the students can see what I am writing a little easier.”
Vogtman said she became aware of the issue when several members of her own family were diagnosed with red-green color blindness. She thought she would incorporate that sensitivity into her classroom, and then she noticed some of her students responding positively to the change.
“I know the frustration they can experience. But since it is such a small thing, they don't want to say anything because they immediately get hit with ‘what color is this shirt?’ stuff. And that gets old, really fast,” she said. “Avoiding red and green markers isn’t hard to do, and everyone benefits.”
Then Vogtman started adding captioning to the videos she shows in her classroom.
“Everyone benefits. Personally, I am not an auditory learner. I have an incredible recall of things that I read, but what I have heard, that is not where I shine,” she said. “If my teachers and professors had turned on the closed captioning, I would have been much happier watching the videos in class.”
“Conversations about the importance of accessibility continue to rise to the forefront in higher education,” said Jason Kapcala, assistant director of captioning and interpreting. “For those of us working in student accommodations, the opportunity to honor these accessibility advocates who work so diligently to support students with accommodations is one of the most inspiring parts of the job.”
Vogtman said adjusting and adapting to the needs of students – even those with no learning disabilities – is important for a teacher at every level of education.
“I believe that we all have a duty to support each other as teachers, particularly members of the PSC community, as well as the wider society,” she said. “So many people are going through life with stories that we will never know about. I have no idea what struggles my students are facing, but I know that my job is to support them and help them. A little bit of kindness goes a long way.”
Vogtman said the key is simple human courtesy and kindness.
“It’s hard. I know. You need to quickly run into a store, and the only spot near the store is the handicapped spot. If you can walk the extra 20 steps in the rain, just do it. Because there might be someone who can’t walk those steps, and having that space for them will make the difference in their day,” she said. “We all need to exercise more kindness and compassion. I’ve had friends and family members with hidden disabilities, and the way the world can treat them at times is flat-out wrong. It really isn't our space to judge. So, let’s just offer each other some kindness and compassion.”
Vogtman said awareness can go a long way as well. She added that the College does have resources available not only to students with disabilities but also to faculty and staff who could learn more about what students on campus face.
“We need to do our best to follow the rules and to reach out to the Office of Accessibility Services with questions. They are really great to work with. They are the experts in this,” she said. “Beyond that, just treating everyone with the kindness we would want our family to be treated with. We have made great strides in making the campus more accessible in the past few years, but there is still much to be done. It’s hard work, but it is also very important.”
Vogtman began her teaching career at PSC in the Fall of 2008. Now in her 19th season at the College, she said the most rewarding aspect of her career has been the student success stories she hears – often after the student is no longer a student.
“When students reach out and let me know what they are up to. Oftentimes this is accompanied by a short story about something that they learned in my class that they have continued to use,” she said. “Students who are excited to take physics are few and far between, so it is always nice to hear that I have made a lasting impact on my students.”
In addition to Vogtman, the following WVU staff and faculty members will receive certificates for their outstanding commitment to accessibility and will be featured on the OSA website.
· Jason Bock, director for online education, Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.
· Tyler Collie, director of Student Support Services.
· Becca Coltogirone, teaching assistant professor and director of the undergraduate program in neuroscience, Department of Biology.
· Erin Fowler, interim assistant director of teaching and learning applications, Information Technology Services.
· Leighann Scott, campus dietitian, WVU Hospitality Group.
· Carrie Showalter, dean of students and associate vice president, Division of Student Life.
· Nevena Stojanovic, teaching assistant professor, multidisciplinary studies programs, Eberly College.
· Sarah Zamora, program assistant and accessibility transportation coordinator, Transportation, Parking and Mail Services.
The Accessibility Advocate Award is selected by a committee within the Office of Student Accommodations, with nominations coming from students and OSA staff.