Elizabeth (Liz) M. Eagan, currently of Bastrop, Texas, was originally from Creston, Iowa, and spent five years in Seattle, Washington, but raised her family and spent most of her career in Texas. After having earned her AA General Degree from Southwestern Community College in Creston in 1987, she moved to Kirksville, Missouri to attend Truman State University. While there, she married and started a family. She earned her BA in education from Buena Vista University. She then moved to Houston, Texas where she worked as a life skills teacher for seven years before attending Stephen F. Austin University via distance learning where she earned her VI endorsement BA in Education in 1991. Additionally, Liz earned her Masters Degree in Education Administration from the Grand Canyon University (Phoenix) in 2007. Liz received a Certification in Visual Impairment in 2001 (Stephen F. Austin University) to go along with her certifications in Elementary Education K-6, Special Education K-12, and Reading Endorsement.

Since 2014, Liz has worked as an Itinerant Teacher of the Visually Impaired at Bastrop ISD. She is responsible for 20 + students (varies yearly) with varying levels of visual impairments and other additional disabilities including autism in the public school setting. She creates object, theme, and routine books to assist students to learn the tasks assigned to them. Liz provides instruction in braille, low vision device use, testing, and in-servicing student, family and staff on the student’s visual needs. She works to locate and identify all visually impaired students in the district – growing student VI population from 8 to 20+ – and has also hired an additional VI Teacher while training and mentoring her. From 2013-2014, Liz was an independent contractor responsible for teaching beginning braille to a 1st grader in Bastrop, TX as well as consulting with the educational team and the child’s parents. She was also responsible for six low vision students in Eanes ISD in both direct and consultative roles. From 2008 to 2013, Liz was an Itinerant Teacher of the Visually Impaired at Federal Way ISD in Washington State. There she was responsible for 25+ students with varying levels of visual impairments and other additional disabilities including autism, in the public school setting. From 2000 to 2008 Liz worked as an Itinerant Teacher of the Visually Impaired at Houston ISD and helped students in Preparation for life; 20+ students with varying levels of visual impairments and other additional disabilities including autism in both school and home settings (the later for medical reasons). One of the programs she initiated at the 15 different schools where she served as an itinerant teacher was transitional programming where the students were taken out of the classroom and learned how to ride mass transportation, shop at local markets, and participate in school activities.

Liz’s prior experiences included serving from 1999 to 2000 as Teacher of the Visually Impaired in Life Skills at Hamilton Middle School in Houston, from 1992 to 1999 as a Special Education Teacher in Life Skills at Sharpstown High School, and from 1991-1992 as a Special Education Teacher in Life Skills at Paul Revere Middle School. At all times, Liz has focused on the overall educational, future employment and life skills needs of her students.

Liz is as long-time member of the Council for Exceptional Children and has held several offices in Chapter 100: Newsletter Editor, Secretary, and Vice President. In the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER), Liz has served as the Secretary of Division 16 (Itinerant) in the Washington Education Association.

Liz works hard to ensure she maintains proficiency in her field through continual development. She attends an average of 60 hours of in-services in relation to the VI field annually, and also attends two conferences a year to stay abreast of the latest trends and technology. She presents at conferences and seminars as well. In March 2014, she gave presentations at TAER entitled “Check Please” and “Picture This”. In December 2013, she presented “Book It” at the Getting in Touch with Literacy Conference “Book It” in Providence. In March 2013, she presented “Book ’em, Dano” at the TAER Conference “Book ‘em, Dano”, in collaboration with Eva Lavigne-Thompson. She has made many more presentations, has contributed to books, written several articles, and has received numerous honors and awards – check those out on her Vitae below.

Liz is a long-time friend of parents of children with visual impairments, and has been very supportive of our efforts in parent groups. She has given several presentations at HAPVI (Houston Area Parents of the Visually Impaired) and to other parent networks. She also served for three years as a Board Member at Large on our statewide parent network, TAPVI.

We at TAPVI want to thank Liz for all of her efforts on behalf of students with blindness and visual impairment and the parents who love them! Thank you, Liz!

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Elizabeth M. Eagan

Bastrop, TX 78602

EDUCATION

2007 Masters Degree in Education Administration; Grand Canyon University

2001 Certification in Visual Impairment; Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, TX

1991 BA. in Education; Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, IA
Certifications: Elementary Education K-6, Special Education K-12, Reading Endorsement

1987 A.A. General Degree; Southwestern Community College in Creston, IA

EMPLOYMENT

2014-Present Itinerant Teacher of the Visually Impaired – Bastrop ISD

Responsible for 20 + students (varies yearly) with varying levels of
visual impairments and other additional disabilities including autism in
the public school setting. I create object, theme, and routine books to
assist my students learn the tasks assigned to them. I am responsible for
instruction in braille, low vision device use, testing, and inservicing
student, family and staff on the student’s visual needs. I have worked to
locate and identify all visually impaired students in the district –
growing student VI population from 8 to 20+ – also hired an
additional VI Teacher while training and mentoring her.

2013-2014 Independent Contractor
Responsible for teaching beginning braille to a 1^st grader in Bastrop,
TX as well as consulting with the educational team and the child’s
parents. Also responsible for six low vision students in Eanes ISD in
both direct and consultative roles.

2008- 2013 Itinerant Teacher of the Visually Impaired – Federal Way ISD
Responsible for 25 + students with varying levels of visual impairments and other additional disabilities including autism in the public school setting. I create object, theme, and routine books to assist my students learn the tasks assigned to them. I am responsible for instruction in braille, low vision device use, testing, and inservicing student, family and staff on the student’s visual needs. I have worked to locate and identify all visually impaired students in the district -growing student VI population from 14 to 40+ – also hired an additional VI Teacher.

2000-2008 Itinerant Teacher of the Visually Impaired – Houston ISD
Preparation for life; 20+ students with varying levels of visual impairments and other additional disabilities including autism in both school and home settings (the later for medical reasons). One of the programs which I initiated at the 15 different schools where I served as an itinerant teacher was transitional programming where the students were taken out of the classroom and are learned how to ride mass transportation, shop at local markets, and participate in school activities. I created object, theme, and routine books to assist my students learn the tasks assigned to them. I was responsible for instruction in braille, low vision device usage, testing, and inservicing student, family and staff on the student’s visual needs.

1999-2000 Teacher of the Visually Impaired – Life Skills, Hamilton Middle School
Preparation for life; 8 students with varying levels of visual
impairments with additional disabilities; I taught independent
transitional skills using a “hands on” approach. Weekly field trips into
the community were taken to work on Expanded Core Curriculum
goals.

1992-1999 Special Education Teacher – Life Skills, Sharpstown High School
Preparation for life; 12+ students with varying levels of disabilities.
Taught independent transitional skills using a “hands on” approach
Monthly field trips into the community were taken to learn travel skills, shopping, table manners and social skills. In the 1998-1999 school year, I aided in altering the curriculum to departmentalizing the self-contained classes.

1991-1992 Special Education Teacher – Life Skills, Paul Revere Middle School
Preparation for life; 10 students with varying levels of disabilities; I taught independent transitional skills using a “hands on” approach.

Professional Memberships

Council for Exceptional Children
Offices held in Chapter 100: Newsletter Editor, Secretary, and Vice President

Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER)
Office held: Secretary of Division 16 (Itinerant), Washington Education Association

Developmental Activities

Attend an average of 60 hours of inservices in relation to the VI field
Attend two conferences a year to stay abreast of the latest trends and technology

Presentations
March 2014 – Presentation at TAER “Check Please” in Austin, TX
March 2014 – Presentation at TAER “Picture This” in Austin, TX
December 2013 – Presentation at Getting in Touch with Literacy Conference “Book It” in Providence, RI
March 2013 – Presentation at TAER Conference “Book ‘em, Dano” at TAER in collaboration with Eva Lavigne-Thompson in Dallas, TX
March 2012 – Presentation at TAER/Texas Focus conference “Stepping Out Into a New Enlightened Comfort Zone” in collaboration with Eva Lavigne-Thompson
“Help My Computer Ate Me!” at Region 4 in Houston, TX
October 15, 2009 – Presentation for paraprofessionals “Social Skills and the VI Student” in Federal Way, WA
June 2009 – Presentation at Texas Assistive Technology Statewide Conference “Help My Computer Ate Me!” at Region 4 in Houston, TX
June 2007 – Presentation at TCEC state conference “Transistion into an Independent Future” in Houston, TX
June 2007 – Presentation at Texas Focus conference in collaboration with Eva Lavigne-Thompson “ECC Framework”
June 2007 – Presentation at Texas Assistive Technology Statewide Conference “Using Miscrosoft Photo Story 3.1” at Region 4 in Houston, TX
March 2007 – Panel presentation at TAER’s state conference “A Texas Focus on Transition”
March 2007 – Presentation at TAER’s state conference “Books Make the Grade”
September 10, 2006 – Presentation to HAPVI on Creating Tactile and Experience Books
September 26, 2006 – Co-Presenter on Strategies for Children with Visual and Multiple Impairments to HISD teachers, Houston TX
September 10, 2006 – Presentation to HAPVI on Creating Tactile and Experience Books
June 19, 2006 –Presentation on Creating Tactile and Experience Books at Region IV ESC in Houston, TX
June 6, 2006 – Networking presentation in conjunction with two counselors from counselors from DARS DBS at Texas Focus Conference in Dallas, TX
February 13, 2006 – Make and Take presentation on how to make tactile and experience books to HISD Visually Impaired Department, Houston TX
October 19, 2005 – Presentation to HAPVI (Houston Area Parents of the Visually Impaired) on transition, Houston, TX
April 2005 – TETN Presentation on Transition Activity for Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) aired statewide and taped
April 2005 – Presentation on Transition as a Team Activity at TAER’s state conference in Houston, Tx
January 2005 – Presentation on Transition Activity Checklist that I developed to developed to regional transition coordinators at Region 4 ESC in Houston, TX
April 2002 – Presentation on Tips for Working with Infants/Toddlers who are who are Visually Impaired at TAER’s state conference in Dallas, Tx

Articles Published
Contribute posts to Paths to Literacy: https://www.pathstoliteracy.org/users/eleagan
Contributed learning activities to: Wolffe, K. E. (in press). Career education. In
Carol Allman, Sandra Lewis, & Susan J. Spungin (Eds.). Building a foundation
for a lifetime: The expanded core curriculum for students with visual
impairments. New York: AFB Press.

Winter 2010 TSBVI’s Texas SenseAbilities website
www.tsbvi.edu/component/content/article/106/3118-integrating-expanded-core-
curriculum-activities-into- academic-instruction published “Integrating Expanded Core Curriculum Activities Into Academic Instruction”.
Spring/Summer 2010 TSBVI’s Texas SenseAbilities website www.tsbvi.edu/component/content/article/106-quarterly-issues/3309-
summertime-fun published “Summertime Fun”. Written with a child and family family resource consultant through Washington’s Department of Services for the Blind.

Winter 2009 TSBVI’s Texas SenseAbilities website www.tsbvi.edu/tx-senseabilities/3140-hi-ho-hi-ho-its-off-to-college-you-go published “Hi Ho! Hi Ho! It’s off to College You Go!”
Fall 2009 TSBVI’s Texas SenseAbilities website https://tsbvi.edu/tx-senseabilites/
3083-a-memorial-tribute-to-karen-crone published “A Memorial Tribute to
Karen Crone.”
Spring 2005 CEC DVI Quarterly Volume 50 Number 3 “Voices of Experience:

Experience: Making the Transition from High School to College. Written with 3 former high school students from HISD was published; abridged version
September 2004 TSBVI’s website www.tsbvi.edu/Education/transition-
experience.htm published “Voices of Experience: Making the Transition from
High School to College. Written with 3 former high school students from HISD
Summer 2003 The Driving Force: AER Division 16 Itinerant Personnel News
Journal; Ideas on how to keep organized as an itinerant always on the run was
published

Honors and Awards

2006 Texas Council for Exceptional Children Teacher of the Year
2004-2005 Council for Exceptional Children Chapter 100’s Teacher of the Year
2004-2005 Houston ISD; Special Education Teacher of the Year
1997 Houston ISD Golden Apple Nominee
1996 Houston ISD Golden Apple Nominee
1996 Warner Cable’s Hometown Hero Nominee