Meet the ESU 10 Special Education Staff

Hi.  My name is Renata MacAlpine, and I am one of the physical therapists providing service to the ESU 10 schools.  I currently visit about fourteen schools to work with children that are physically challenged or developmentally delayed in their gross motor skills.  For school-aged children, I help the staff make the modifications necessary in their educational environment so they can access all the areas needed in their school day.  I also instruct paraprofessionals and PE teachers regarding modifications in exercises and play that might be needed to assure the students get the physical activity required for healthy bodies.

In addition to consulting at the schools, I get to see and help babies through the Early Intervention Program.  This is the best part of my job as I have the privilege of working with these very special families and kids who surprise me with their ability to adapt and be kids against all odds.

I am married, live in Ord and have two teenage boys.  Before my employment at ESU 10, I worked at Valley County Hospital for fifteen years providing all types of physical therapy to all age groups as well as consulting at the local schools. I graduated from UNMC in 1983 and have had the opportunity to work in several positions in Pennsylvania and California...B.C. (before children).  I'm glad to be working with the schools of the ESU 10.

My name is Cindy Peyton and I live in Gothenburg.  I am married to Mark Peyton who works as a Senior Biologist for Central Nebraska Public Power & Irrigation.  I have two wonderful sons.  Reece is 19 and lives in Kearney.  Alex is 17 and is a senior in high school.  I have been associated with ESU 10 for 24+ years.

I have worked most of my tenure in Class I schools - rural K-6 schools - as a Resource Specialist.  I have probably worked in most Dawson County schools at one time or another.  Seven years ago I was asked to work at Arnold Public Schools three days per week.  I was excited to go, but I was a bit nervous as I had never taught secondary students before.  There was no need for worry as I thoroughly enjoy working with them.  When the Nebraska legislature closed all of the Class I schools, my caseload was drastically cut.  However, Arnold was in need of more help so they asked me to come to work for them five days per week.

My job has just about included everything.  I have worked primarily with learning disabled children, but I have also worked with mildly mentally handicapped children, moderately mentally handicapped children, children with other health impairments such as Attention Deficit Disorder (with or without hyperactivity), and with visually impaired, hearing impaired, and orthopedically handicapped children.   One of the most unique students with whom I worked was a preschooler with the “Cri du Chat” syndrome (pronounced “Cree doo sha).  It is the “cat cry” syndrome in which a classic feature is the catlike cry made by a young person with this syndrome.

I have worked with lots of wonderful children, many of whom have graduated from high school and/or college, have landed good jobs, have married, had children of their own and have become productive citizens of society.  I am proud and lucky to have been a part of their lives.

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