The Multiple Abilities Program only has 14 students enrolled, but acts as two degree programs, preparing education majors to be elementary school teachers as well as special education teachers.

Madeleine Gregg, head of MAP, has helped to plan the program since its inception in 1993. Gregg said the idea of the program came about when superintendents of different schools complained to the Dean of the College of Education at The University of Alabama about the increasing number of children being referred to special needs and the lack of certified teachers.

“More and more schools want to hire teachers who can handle both regular and special needs children,” Gregg said. “And our graduates have that diversity that prepares them for dealing with different kinds of children and their needs.”

The program consists of five semesters of hands-on teaching experience at elementary schools around the city. Lindsey Lee, a junior currently enrolled in the MAP program, said the program helps prepare students to deal with different kind of children in a classroom setting.

“I think it just helps to give you balance,” Lee said. “Not every kid is the same, it gives us the tools to know what to do and adapt in any situation.”

Patricia Tessner graduated from the MAP program in 2007 and has been working as a special education teacher for seven years at Rock Quarry Elementary in Tuscaloosa.

“A lot of the special education is now going towards inclusion,” Tessner said. “It gives me an opportunity to not only work with my students but also regular students and for them to interact.”

Tessner said the MAP program helped prepare her for dealing in those classrooms where both types of students are present.

“We made sure we were teaching students and meeting the needs of each of our students,” Tessner said. “I think that was very important because I think often you think of what you need to teach students and you see it as one curriculum but different students have different needs and need to be taught differently.”

Emily Sherrod graduated from the program in May 2012. She now teaches second grade at Harbor Primary in Opelika, Ala.

“[MAP] has helped me tremendously,” Sherrod said. “I’m in a regular second grade classroom, but the inside still has special education needs.”

Sherrod said it helped her better understand the kids in her class.

“I feel I can do so much better than just knowing regular education,” Sherrod said.

Students in the MAP program take all of their classes at Sprayberry Education Center to better prepare them for the classroom setting.

“They do have a different preparation when they come in the classroom,” Sherrod said. “They come in prepared and ready to go without needing too much direction.”

Tessner said she is grateful for Gregg’s teachings now that she is in her own classroom. She remembers Gregg’s saying: “Fair isn’t equal. Fair is when everyone gets what they need.”

Lee said the program is trying to get the word out more to other students.

“I think if more people knew about it they would do it because it is such a great program,” Lee said.

Gregg said she hopes enrollment in the program increases in the future, especially as MAP plans to move to a new building on campus which would make it more convenient for students in the program.

Sherrod recommends the program to others looking for a broader range of teaching opportunities.

“If somebody is interested, it’s a lot of hard work but totally worth it to me,” Sherrod said.