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 Background: My name is Sarah Cates. I was born and raised in Oklahoma. I have lived in Oklahoma for all but 2 years of my life. I was born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. My parents were both educators. My father was a math teacher, he then became a Middle school prnicipal, and then a High school principal. When I went into Middle school he was my principal, then when I went to High school so did he. I thought that was so very unfair. My mother was a High school English teacher. Personal: I am a divorced mother of one. I fight my ex-husband on a regular basis for childsupport. School and Certifications: I graduated from OSU in 1997 with my bachelors in Special Education - mentally handicapped. I am certified in Mentally Handicapped, Learning Disabilities, and Early Childhood Education. I have special ed. registry training in Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury, Other Health Impairment, and Multi-handicapped. Teaching experience: My first year teaching was in Houston, Texas. I taught in a school with 5th and 6th grade students. There were apporximately 1500 students. I got that job by phone. I did a phone interview on Tuesday before teachers were to report the following Monday. The principal called me on Thursday and asked if I could be there on Monday. I said yes. I packed up as much as I could, my mother and I left Friday morning for Houston, Texas. My mom and I spent the weekend finding me a place to live. I knew a woman from school who offered to let me stay with her and her husband until I could move into my apartment. I taught 5th and 6th grade LD math lab. I also co-taught in 2 6th grade classes. I returned to Oklahoma at the end of the year. I did not teacher for 2 years. In Dec. 2000, I went to work for OKCPS and have been there ever since. I teach Special Ed. Pre-K, 3 -5 year olds with Developmental Delays. I have children with all kinds of disabilities - autism, drug babies, etc. You name I have had it at some point in time. I love my students and my job. Current Education: Currently I am getting my masters in Educational Leadership here at OSU. I will graduate in July 2009. I do not plan to become an Administrator. I am not ready to leave the classroom. I would not want to be a school principal. I would prefer to be a special education supervisor, or go to the State Department in the Special Education as a Special Education Coordinator for Pre-K. Family: I have a seven year old daughter who is the light of my life. She is smart and beautiful. She is very very head strong. She is seven going on 37. My father always told me that since I know it all now I should go out and save the world - that was around age 16- 18. I am already telling her that. Contact Info: Sarah Cates email: sacates@okcps.org.  