Lauderbaugh steps in for special ed.

Posted on: Aug 23, 2019

For Angie Lauderbaugh, a passion to help others overcome obstacles in communication and education developed early in life.

“A friend of mine was deaf in junior high, so I always wanted to be a sign language interpreter,” said Lauderbaugh. 

Delano’s new special education coordinator kept that career goal in mind through her graduation from St. Cloud Apollo High School and into her time at St. Cloud State University, where the path began to broaden. When she couldn’t get into an intro class for sign language, she chose a communication sciences and disorders course instead and learned about speech language pathology.

“I found it fascinating. I love working with people, and helping people communicate is one of the most rewarding things. So I switched to that, and I’m very happy I did,” said Lauderbaugh.

In the years that followed Lauderbaugh earned both her undergraduate and master’s degrees in communications sciences and disorders from SCSU, and found her first job in education as a speech language pathologist at Dassel-Cokato. She worked with students of all ages there, and also provided part-time services at nursing homes and hospitals.

In addition to her work at Dassel-Cokato, where she spent the last eight years, Lauderbaugh continued to further her own education. She has earned 45 master’s level credits in education from Colorado State University-Pueblo, and is currently pursuing her administrator license from Hamline. She also recently served as an adjunct professional at SCSU, where she taught an introduction course in communication sciences and disorders, and supervised speech pathologists in the graduate program.

Lauderbaugh takes the place of former Special Education Coordinator Shylla Webb, who departed this summer.

“The district is very excited for Angie to join our leadership team at Delano Public Schools,” said Superintendent Matt Schoen. “Angie is a fast learner, an effective communicator, and she will jump in with both feet to continue providing excellence in special education services at Delano.”

The path to Delano
When she first began her career in Dassel-Cokato, Lauderbaugh and her husband settled in Delano for a year.

“He worked in the cities and it was a nice in-between. We loved living in Delano,” Lauderbaugh said. “A position actually posted for a speech pathologist in Delano, but I had already accepted my position at Dassel-Cokato. I loved my time at Dassel-Cokato, so I don’t regret that at all, but I’m really excited to have the opportunity to be in Delano.”

The family now lives in Howard Lake, but Lauderbaugh said she is already looking forward to the time her 2-year-old son is able to attend school in Delano as well.

“We’ve been impressed with Delano’s commitment to literacy, culturally responsive teaching, and just making sure that all students have equitable opportunities,” she said.

Becoming an administrator
While Lauderbaugh loved working with students one-on-one, she said she felt a desire to work in a capacity that would allow her to make a difference at a broader level.

“Sometimes systems don’t work for all students, and I really wanted to help be a part of creating a positive education environment for more students,” she said. “I’m really passionate about working with many different students and disabilities. A role as special education coordinator really allows you to work with both regular education and special education and help create programs that have equitable opportunities for all students. So I’m hoping I will be able to collaborate with all the professionals here and have maybe a bigger impact than I would as speech pathologist with just my own case load.”

Lauderbaugh is employed by the Meeker and Wright Special Education Cooperative (MAWSECO), which covers seven school districts. Her myriad duties in Delano include working with teachers to promote student learning in conventional classrooms -- through various individual accommodations or modifications, if necessary.

“The goal is that we don’t want more kids in special education. We want kids to be successful in general education,” said Lauderbaugh. 

She will also work closely with special education staff members to review techniques, curriculum, funding, and more, as well as facilitate meetings with families and participate in individual education plan meetings.

Outside of work and her own continued schooling, Lauderbaugh enjoys playing in a co-ed volleyball league year-round, as well as reading, cooking and taking family walks with her dog, a puggle named Dudley.

 

Post Categories: Community Education, Elementary School, High School, Intermediate School