Blooming & Booming - College of Saint Elizabeth

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Preparing Future Educators
The College of Saint Elizabeth has always been at the forefront of providing innovative academic programs designed
to give students the best liberal arts education. Continuing that tradition, CSE is leading the way in giving future
educators the expertise to become highly effective teachers, especially in the field of special education. This includes
offering diverse courses in special education addressing many types of disabilities, the creation of a graduate-level
Certificate in Assistive Technology, and the establishment of an Office of Disability Services on campus.
SPECIAL EDUCATORS
Jennifer Ricadela, '05, who graduated with an M.A. in Educational Leadership and a B.A. in Elementary Education and
Psychology, is a shining example of how CSE successfully prepares its students to teach in the field of special education.
“I selected CSE for the incredible education program,” said Ms. Ricadela. “I think it is one of the only colleges to offer
such diverse courses in special education. The College really prepared me to be an effective advocate for the children
I teach.” She cited a course that focused on law, including special education laws. “Because of that course, I am the
leading authority for legal questions about special education at the Benjamin Franklin School in Newark, N.J., where
I teach,” she said.
William Moesch, Coordinator of Disability Services Sister Francis Raftery, President (center), with Ricadela family members
(l - r) Robert, Katrisha, Helen and CSE alumna, Jennifer Ricadela, '05
As a result of attending CSE, Ms. Ricadela is not only a highly successful teacher who positively impacts her students with
multiple disabilities, but she also has inspired three members of her family, her father, mother and sister, to attend CSE to
pursue their own teaching degrees in special education!
CERTIFICATE IN ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
CSE is also the first college in New Jersey to offer a Certificate in Assistive Technology program through the School
of Graduate and Continuing Studies. “This 18-credit program is truly a landmark in special education,” said Dr. Alan
Markowitz, CSE Director of Graduate Programs in Education. “Although there are similar models, our department is
the first to offer a concentration in this area.”
The Assistive Technology program teaches graduate students how to use a variety of assistive tools to give
children with disabilities the means to access and absorb the same information as their classmates. According to
Dr. Brian S. Friedlander, CSE Assistant Professor of Education, “There are countless children with a range of disabilities
who can be helped by teachers implementing various kinds of assistive technology. Assistive technology can be the key,
to help level the playing field, for the child with a disability. There are software and hardware available to help students
with all types of learning disabilities including vision, hearing or reading impaired to be able to access the material
on the computer. We show teachers what tools can be used to help almost any child with special needs.”