My Qualifications:
I have been a teacher in the Ft. Madison, Iowa, school system since 1990.  I have taught special education resource room, K-3, for that period of time, and this year am teaching K-5.

I am an Iowa certified teacher in the following areas:  Elementary Education (K-6), Learning Disabilities (K-12), Mental Disabilities Educable/Trainable (K-12), Behavior Disorders (K-6), Multicategorical Self Contained (K-12), Multicategorical Resource (K-6).  I also have Colorado certification.

I graduated from Western Illinois University in 1990 with a 3.98 gpa and a Bachelor's of Science in Education (special education).  I pursued further certifications through both the University of Iowa and Western Illinois after that.  I have considered pursuing my Master's degree, though so far have not been in the position to be able to do so.

Who Am I?
My name is Kristina Vance.  I've been a special education teacher since 1990, but my experiences with special needs children started long before that.  In 1978 my brother had a brain tumor at the age of 7.  The subsequent radiation therapy caused multiple handicaps, including learning disabilities and hearing impairment.  From tutoring him, working with children at the special needs school (before the days of integration), and working at special needs summer programs, I got alot of experience early on.

I married in 1993.  David had learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).  He was on dialysis for eight and a half years.  It was through my students and my husband that I began researching ADHD.

I've learned about mental illness through my sister, who was manic depressive in addition to her physical health problems.  I suffer from depression and fibromyalgia.  My youngest brother suffers from grief syndrome, which in many ways mimics ADHD.  My youngest sister and her family are, thankfully, all healthy.

Scott Howard 1971-1997                        David Vance 1962-1999                         Lisa Howard 1968-1994
                                                                                                                         Brandon Howard

My Books
I have also written two science fiction novels, published by Domhan books.  They are Shipwreck and Journey Through Madness.  Unfortunately due to problems with the printer, both titles are out of print until I find a new publisher.  I do have some copies of Shipwreck left, if you are interested in ordering.  I am working on a romance for my next book, if I ever get the time to edit it!

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