Maureen Gates may seem a familiar face. She has worked with the EagleEyes project for the past ten years, although in a different capacity. With the departure of Marialice Curran, Maureen has taken on a new role within the EagleEyes program. The B.E.A.T. recently had a chance to sit down and chat with Maureen about her new position.

Tell me about us about your position here at the Campus School. What are your responsibilities here?
I am the teacher and curriculum modification specialist for the EagleEyes program. I have a lot of different responsibilities. Generally I am in charge of the EagleEyes classroom and the students who use the software. In addition, I have a range of other responsibilities. I conduct assessments to see if students are candidates for the system. Classroom teachers come in and we work curriculum modification strategies for EagleEyes and Camera Mouse students. And, I supervise and help train new undergraduate students to work with the system.

Sounds like you are pretty busy! What keeps you going?
I really enjoy being part of a program that has the potential of making such a profound difference in a child’s life. That is why I jumped at the offer to come. What more could anyone ask for!?

How did you come to work for the EagleEyes program? What did you do before you came to the Campus School?
After getting my BS in Education from University of Massachusetts at Boston, and my Masters degree at Simmons College, I became a one-to-one educator for Marshfield Public Schools. I was assigned to Michael Nash. Mike was one of EagleEyes’ first success stories. He was a severely handicapped little boy, confined to a wheel chair and had no means of communication except for eye movement. With the aid of EagleEyes, Michael was able to take part in academics. I would take notes in his classes then we would travel to the Campus School. There I would work with the staff at Boston College on ways to modify the curriculum so that Mike could access the information and participate in school. I was Michael’s one-to-one teacher for ten years (Please see the recent movie, Michael’s Eagle Eyes for more information on Michael).

It seems like you and Michael had a close relationship. Why did you move on? Mike worked diligently and received a certificate of completion and graduated with his class in 2001. The DMR (Division of Mental Retardation) has decertified Mike and he is currently working with Massachusetts Rehabilitation. It was time for Michael to take on the world outside of the Marshfield schools and time for me to take on my position at the Campus School.

Do you miss your old position?
I miss the time I spent at Mike’s home and with his family. I miss all the great people I worked with in Marshfield. But I am also excited for my new position. There are a lot of exciting challenges.

Tell me about the job. What challenges you?
There is so much to do and learn. I had the responsibility of one student; now, I have many. Each a unique individual. Each child has his own needs. Each lesson has to be flexible to meet those needs.

Any hopes for the future?
I would like to see this program expanded to provide support on a regular basis for the other one-to-one teachers. And of course, I would like to see the program extended to help as many children as possible.