We’re pleased to introduce MLC’s new graduate faculty member, Dr. Rachel (Vogt DMLC ’95) Ehlers, who will be teaching Foundations of Special Education.
Dr. Ehlers brings to MLC graduate students her extensive education and teaching experience as well as a deep understanding of special education from two perspectives—as a teacher and as a parent.
She’d always been interested in special education and had started taking graduate courses when her oldest daughter was born with a mass in her brain. Doctors did brain surgery on the baby at 20 days old.
“Thankfully, the surgery was a success,” Rachel said, “and the impact was a form of cerebral palsy that affects only the right side of her body. Because of my background, I knew community resources and supports to help with her development and therapy needs.
“Now, at each IEP [Individualized Education Program] meeting, I remember that I was once that parent on the other side of the table.”
Rachel continued her studies, earning her MS in Special Education from Chapman University and her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Walden University, as well as several California certifications.
She began her teaching career at Our Savior-Carlsbad, California, where she was assigned after her 1995 graduation from Dr. Martin Luther College, and she continues to worship there.
In 1999 she began teaching special ed in Vista Unified School District. Through the years, she held positions as a K-1 Special Day Class teacher, Resource Specialist, and Education Specialist. She also acted as a special ed liaison to parochial schools in the district. Currently she’s teaching a K-1 moderate self-contained classroom program.
And now she’s sharing her expertise in our graduate program.
“Foundations of Special Education,” she explains, “will give an overview of the special education process and place primary focus on each of the disability categories outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
“Students will leave the course with a deeper understanding of the disability, strengths and weaknesses of students with varying disabilities, and strategies to help provide support for students.”
She plans to teach the course with the mind for ministry and heart for the gospel that she learned at DMLC.
“First and foremost,” she says, “I see each child as a precious gift from God. Each child has the potential to grow and learn. Some students may require additional supports to achieve, and it is my job to help provide those supports. If a child is not making progress, I need to switch up my classroom instruction or explore different ways to help the student.
“Each student is a member of the learning community, our classroom, and society,” she continues. “I strive to provide each child with every opportunity to learn and grow, feel love, and become a productive member of society.”
Dr. Ehlers is looking forward to sharing her expertise with WELS teachers. “I’m excited about this growth in ministry for teachers. As is evident in our area, parents are reaching out to our local WELS schools to offer a Christian education for their children. Our schools are seeing a need to provide differential instruction for students, regardless of special education support. Plus, every strategy that works for one student in the classroom actually will benefit most students.”
In her spare time, Rachel enjoys reading, boxing, and weightlifting. In fact, she holds a world record in Amateur Weightlifting for the Clean & Jerk. We’re so grateful that while she continues to work on her strength training, she’ll also be strengthening WELS teachers who want to better meet the special needs of their students.
Written by Laurie Gauger
