Special Ed

Mrs BowenThe Special Education Department provides the support that students with special needs require.  They utilize Individualized Educational Plans to guide their instruction.  The teachers in the Special Education Department work collaboratively with the General Education Teachers.  The Special Education Department consist of one Resource Room and a Cross Categorical Room at both the Elementary and Junior High levels.  Speech Pathology is also part of the Special Education department.  The speech pathologist evaluates and treats speech and language disorders.

The Early Childhood Special Education Program is an IEP based program.  Students must qualify in order to attend.  The A.M. class is 3 and 4 year olds and the P.M. class is 4 and 5 year olds.  The goal of ECSE is to enable students to grow in areas of delay Mr Heidento allow them to reach age level (and grade level) expectations. Skill areas of focus within the program include: academics (reading, math, writing), functional (working independently to complete daily activities as well as navigating the school environment), social emotional (learning to interact with other children of similar ages appropriately),  language, gross motor,  fine motor, and kinesthetic (body awareness and coordinating body movements).    
The Special Education Teachers are Sally Mayhaus, Corletta Bowen, Eric Heiden and Mandy Probst.  Speech Pathologist is Karie Schultz. The ECSE teacher is Mrs. Akeman.

Mrs.Mayhaus has been teaching Special Education classes at Altamont Grade School for 21 years.  She taught at South Central Elementary for six years before coming to Altamont.  She received her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Mrs MayhausEastern Illinois University in 1992.  Mrs. Mayhaus lives in rural Edgewood with her husband and has three children. 

Mrs.Bowen has been teaching Special Education in Altamont for 11 years.  Mrs. Bowen, also taught for Eastern Illinois Area of Special Education for 8 years.  She received her Bachelor's in Elementary Education from Eastern Illinois University.   She then received her Special Education Certification for K - 12.  She resides in Edgewood with her husband.  She has 2 grown sons.

Mr.  Heiden has been teaching in the Special Education department and coaching baseball and basketball at Altamont Grade School for six years.  He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education from Greenville University in 2011, with endorsements in Social Studies, English, and Special Education.  He resides in Altamont.

Mrs Probst Mrs. Probst has been teaching special education classes at Altamont Grade School for 13 years. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Eastern Illinois University in 1999, and later received her special education teacher certification (LBSI)  in special education in 2006.  Mrs. Probst lives in rural Teutopolis with her husband and has four children. 

Mrs. Schultz has been at Altamont School district for 16 years.  Prior to that, she was in the Effingham school district for 5 years.  She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Eastern Illinois University in Communication Disorders and Sciences.  She resides in Altamont with her husband and 2 children..