April 3, 2008

Dick Owens		Michelle Handsaker

College represented at international learning disabilities conference

Dick Owens and Michelle Handsaker represented Morningside College at the 45th annual international conference for the Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDAA) that was held recently in Chicago.

Owens was an education professor at Morningside College for about 20 years; now he works part time as professional development coordinator for the college’s education department. Handsaker has worked for Morningside College for five years; she tutors students who have learning disabilities.

At the international conference in Chicago, Owens and Handsaker had the opportunity to study the latest research on learning disabilities, hear from leading experts in the field and gain information on critical policy issues and learning strategies.

Owens has a doctorate in education from the University of Nebraska, 20 years of experience teaching in K-12 schools and eight years of experience as an administrator for Western Hills Area Education Agency in Sioux City. Although Owens has officially been retired for almost a decade, he was honored by the governor just this year for his ongoing volunteer efforts to ensure appropriate education and services for persons with learning disabilities. He is president of the Learning Disabilities Association of Iowa.

Handsaker works at Morningside to provide direct support and one-on-one tutoring for students with learning disabilities. She also organizes assistance groups and a mentoring program. Handsaker has a bachelor’s degree from Morningside College, and she is an award-winning writer.