Special Education
The Special Education PTA committee at Horizon is here to support teachers and parents as we work together to give each of our students the education they deserve!
Monthly Newsletter
We have created a Newsletter that I hope you will find informative. You can sign up to have our monthly newsletter delivered directly to your e-mail using the link below. We handle our newsletter through MailChimp, and your e-mail is visible only to the special education committee chair, Christy McGuire. ChristyLMcGuire@gmail.com
Click Here to Register
We have created a Newsletter that I hope you will find informative. You can sign up to have our monthly newsletter delivered directly to your e-mail using the link below. We handle our newsletter through MailChimp, and your e-mail is visible only to the special education committee chair, Christy McGuire. ChristyLMcGuire@gmail.com
Click Here to Register
Horizon's Special Education Teachers
Leigh Ann Martin
Contact: lamartin@madisoncity.k12.al.us
Role at Horizon:
Mrs. Lay is a Speech-Language Pathologist and her job is to prevent, assess, diagnose and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders in children. She is currently serving students ranging from age 3-12.
Education:
Bachelors of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from Auburn University with a Minor in Rehabilitation and Special Education, Masters of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from Alabama A&M University, National Certification through the American Speech and Hearing Association, Certified in Autism Observation Diagnostic Scale (ADOS) Administration, ABA Therapy and AV- Therapy.
Mrs. Martin has always known she wanted to be a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). She says, “My mother was an SLP and I was always fascinated by her job. I loved the idea of helping people be able to communicate and providing them with the confidence to go out and speak out loud to friends, teachers, etc. My favorite thing about teaching at Horizon is working with such amazing students! I truly love kids and live for those 'ah ha' moments”.
Mrs. Martin grew up in Athens, Alabama and discovered her love of talking at an early age! She says, “I have a wonderful husband named Justin, a little boy named Michael, and two cats, Izzy and Watson. In my spare time I love to spend time with my family, read, and cheer on my Auburn Tigers! I also create and sell speech and teacher resources in my TpT store”.
A couple of fun facts about Mrs. Martin: “I was born on leap year and I actually had pretty terrible articulation as a child.”
Contact: lamartin@madisoncity.k12.al.us
Role at Horizon:
Mrs. Lay is a Speech-Language Pathologist and her job is to prevent, assess, diagnose and treat speech, language, social communication, cognitive-communication and swallowing disorders in children. She is currently serving students ranging from age 3-12.
Education:
Bachelors of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from Auburn University with a Minor in Rehabilitation and Special Education, Masters of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders from Alabama A&M University, National Certification through the American Speech and Hearing Association, Certified in Autism Observation Diagnostic Scale (ADOS) Administration, ABA Therapy and AV- Therapy.
Mrs. Martin has always known she wanted to be a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP). She says, “My mother was an SLP and I was always fascinated by her job. I loved the idea of helping people be able to communicate and providing them with the confidence to go out and speak out loud to friends, teachers, etc. My favorite thing about teaching at Horizon is working with such amazing students! I truly love kids and live for those 'ah ha' moments”.
Mrs. Martin grew up in Athens, Alabama and discovered her love of talking at an early age! She says, “I have a wonderful husband named Justin, a little boy named Michael, and two cats, Izzy and Watson. In my spare time I love to spend time with my family, read, and cheer on my Auburn Tigers! I also create and sell speech and teacher resources in my TpT store”.
A couple of fun facts about Mrs. Martin: “I was born on leap year and I actually had pretty terrible articulation as a child.”
Sarah Ruh
Contact: saruh@madisoncity.k12.al.us
Role at Horizon:
Mrs. Ruh is the Special Educator for 4th through 6th grades. She provides extra support for students, teaches skills that students have not fully mastered, teaches them to become self-regulated learners, as well as providing them skills to become a more pro-social and pro-emotional person.
Education:
Mrs. Ruh graduated from The University of Alabama's Multiple Abilities Program where she earned certification to teach general education, special education and gifted and talented in grades K-6.
During the summers in high school, Mrs. Ruh worked at a private school for students with Autism and fell in love with them. She says, “As I worked in my internships in college, I found that I was able to build better relationships with the students as a special educator because I was able to spend more time with them in a small group/one-on-one setting and I was able to teach them skills in a time more suitable for those students”.
She says, “The support of the faculty and staff (at Horizon) is amazing. Horizon has amazing parents who are involved and support their child's education. The students here are willing and eager to learn, try new things and be themselves!”.
Mrs. Ruh was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. She and her husband have an energetic Jack Russell Terrior named Harvey, a two year old daughter named Emma, and will be welcoming another little girl this June. She loves to read, bake and enjoys anything outdoors. She cheers for Alabama, Roll Tide!
Contact: saruh@madisoncity.k12.al.us
Role at Horizon:
Mrs. Ruh is the Special Educator for 4th through 6th grades. She provides extra support for students, teaches skills that students have not fully mastered, teaches them to become self-regulated learners, as well as providing them skills to become a more pro-social and pro-emotional person.
Education:
Mrs. Ruh graduated from The University of Alabama's Multiple Abilities Program where she earned certification to teach general education, special education and gifted and talented in grades K-6.
During the summers in high school, Mrs. Ruh worked at a private school for students with Autism and fell in love with them. She says, “As I worked in my internships in college, I found that I was able to build better relationships with the students as a special educator because I was able to spend more time with them in a small group/one-on-one setting and I was able to teach them skills in a time more suitable for those students”.
She says, “The support of the faculty and staff (at Horizon) is amazing. Horizon has amazing parents who are involved and support their child's education. The students here are willing and eager to learn, try new things and be themselves!”.
Mrs. Ruh was born and raised in Atlanta, GA. She and her husband have an energetic Jack Russell Terrior named Harvey, a two year old daughter named Emma, and will be welcoming another little girl this June. She loves to read, bake and enjoys anything outdoors. She cheers for Alabama, Roll Tide!
Maruso Setta
Contact: mmsetta@madisoncity.k12.al.us
Role at Horizon:
Teacher for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing, MET Coordinator and helps with testing.
Education:
BA from The University of Alabama in Deaf Education and a dual MA in Educational Diagnostics and Special Education from The University of Houston
Mrs. Setta chose to pursue teaching special education because she loved sign language and thought it was a great way to work with deaf individuals. She loves the students at Horizon. She says, “They are fun and love to learn new things”.
Mrs. Setta is married to Kenny Setta, a retired military man and they have a 15 year old son named John Henry. They have a German Sheppard named Taz and two cats named Patches and Joey. She loves photography, specifically nature.
Mrs. Setta cheers for Alabama and the Philadelphia Eagles. She grew up military and has lived in 12 different states, two islands and in Germany.
Contact: mmsetta@madisoncity.k12.al.us
Role at Horizon:
Teacher for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing, MET Coordinator and helps with testing.
Education:
BA from The University of Alabama in Deaf Education and a dual MA in Educational Diagnostics and Special Education from The University of Houston
Mrs. Setta chose to pursue teaching special education because she loved sign language and thought it was a great way to work with deaf individuals. She loves the students at Horizon. She says, “They are fun and love to learn new things”.
Mrs. Setta is married to Kenny Setta, a retired military man and they have a 15 year old son named John Henry. They have a German Sheppard named Taz and two cats named Patches and Joey. She loves photography, specifically nature.
Mrs. Setta cheers for Alabama and the Philadelphia Eagles. She grew up military and has lived in 12 different states, two islands and in Germany.
Linda Lay
Contact: llay@madisoncity.k12.al.us
Role at Horizon:
Mrs. Lay has been at Horizon Elementary School since 2006 and has worked with grades K-5. She presently works with students in grades K-3 who have exceptionalities including autism, learning disabilities, behavior disorders and other health impairments.
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Special Education from The University of South Alabama, with specialized training in the areas of mental retardation, learning disabilities and multiple handicaps. Mrs. Lay also has two Master's Degrees: one from The University of Alabama, with specialized training in mental retardation, learning disabilities and behavior disorders. The second one is from The University of West Alabama in Library Media. Mrs. Lay is a Highly Qualified Teacher in the state of Alabama.
Experience:
Mrs. Lay has been teaching special education since 1994, and absolutely loves it. Prior to coming to Horizon in 2006, she was employed with Huntsville City Schools where she taught middle school special education for 4 years, and elementary special education for 8 years. When teaching middle school, she taught grades 6-8 in a self-contained classroom. Exceptionalities including autism, mental retardation, Tourette's Syndrome, behavior disorders and learning disabilities. When teaching elementary school in Huntsville, she worked with grades 3-5 in both an inclusive and resource setting as well as self-contained. Exceptionalities including autism, mental retardation, Down's Syndrome, learning disabilities, visually impaired and behavior disorders.
Mrs. Lay is a Huntsville "native!" She was born and raised in Huntsville as an only child. With the exception of college, she has lived here her whole life. She traveled overseas a few years back with her church choir on a mission tour and got to see London, Scotland and Wales. “It was breath-taking!”.
Mrs. Lay says, “I have a beautiful family and proudly count them as one of my biggest blessings in life! I have been happily married since 1998 and we have a beautiful daughter and spoiled rotten dog. In my 'spare time', I enjoy sharing time with my family and friends, singing in the church choir, cooking and baking, reading, gardening, riding my bicycle, hiking, swimming and doing anything outside".
Contact: llay@madisoncity.k12.al.us
Role at Horizon:
Mrs. Lay has been at Horizon Elementary School since 2006 and has worked with grades K-5. She presently works with students in grades K-3 who have exceptionalities including autism, learning disabilities, behavior disorders and other health impairments.
Education:
Bachelor's degree in Special Education from The University of South Alabama, with specialized training in the areas of mental retardation, learning disabilities and multiple handicaps. Mrs. Lay also has two Master's Degrees: one from The University of Alabama, with specialized training in mental retardation, learning disabilities and behavior disorders. The second one is from The University of West Alabama in Library Media. Mrs. Lay is a Highly Qualified Teacher in the state of Alabama.
Experience:
Mrs. Lay has been teaching special education since 1994, and absolutely loves it. Prior to coming to Horizon in 2006, she was employed with Huntsville City Schools where she taught middle school special education for 4 years, and elementary special education for 8 years. When teaching middle school, she taught grades 6-8 in a self-contained classroom. Exceptionalities including autism, mental retardation, Tourette's Syndrome, behavior disorders and learning disabilities. When teaching elementary school in Huntsville, she worked with grades 3-5 in both an inclusive and resource setting as well as self-contained. Exceptionalities including autism, mental retardation, Down's Syndrome, learning disabilities, visually impaired and behavior disorders.
Mrs. Lay is a Huntsville "native!" She was born and raised in Huntsville as an only child. With the exception of college, she has lived here her whole life. She traveled overseas a few years back with her church choir on a mission tour and got to see London, Scotland and Wales. “It was breath-taking!”.
Mrs. Lay says, “I have a beautiful family and proudly count them as one of my biggest blessings in life! I have been happily married since 1998 and we have a beautiful daughter and spoiled rotten dog. In my 'spare time', I enjoy sharing time with my family and friends, singing in the church choir, cooking and baking, reading, gardening, riding my bicycle, hiking, swimming and doing anything outside".
It is vital that we parents be proactive in pursuing the special education process for our children.
Special Education Process
This link will show you how the special education process works in Madison City:
Click Here
This link will show you how the special education process works in Madison City:
Click Here
Resources for parents of special education students
Sometimes students benefit from therapy beyond what is appropriately offered through the public school system. Often, therapy can be covered by your insurance. The following list is provided as a courtesy. Obviously, we as fellow parents, cannot guarantee your child's results. Your child's pediatrician can help you find and access the most appropriate resources for your child. Please contact us if you have further resources to add to this list! christylmcguire@gmail.com or becca_ren2000@yahoo.com
Madison city disability board list of resources: http://www.mcdab.org/resources.html
Huntsville Hospital pediatric therapy: http://www.hhwomenandchildren.org/pediatric-therapy
Offers speech, handwriting help, PT and OT.
Compass Therapy: http://compassptinc.com/
Offers handwriting help, attention issues and PT.
Visual Performance Center: https://www.visualperformancecenter.com/
Offers help with concentration and reading issues.
Speech Time: http://www.speechtimeinc.com/
Offers speech services.
Sometimes students benefit from therapy beyond what is appropriately offered through the public school system. Often, therapy can be covered by your insurance. The following list is provided as a courtesy. Obviously, we as fellow parents, cannot guarantee your child's results. Your child's pediatrician can help you find and access the most appropriate resources for your child. Please contact us if you have further resources to add to this list! christylmcguire@gmail.com or becca_ren2000@yahoo.com
Madison city disability board list of resources: http://www.mcdab.org/resources.html
Huntsville Hospital pediatric therapy: http://www.hhwomenandchildren.org/pediatric-therapy
Offers speech, handwriting help, PT and OT.
Compass Therapy: http://compassptinc.com/
Offers handwriting help, attention issues and PT.
Visual Performance Center: https://www.visualperformancecenter.com/
Offers help with concentration and reading issues.
Speech Time: http://www.speechtimeinc.com/
Offers speech services.
How does our school help students with Dyslexia?
Please follow the link below for more information.
Information on High Functioning Autism:
Please follow the link below.