Cary Saltsgaver

I

grew up in a western suburb of Chicago. I started dancing

at age eight and danced my way through college. I started

teaching ballet, jazz, and modern at seventeen and soon

discovered my passion for teaching. I found myself drawn

to the children who struggled with a step or routine.

I found great joy in breaking down a step or skill into

its simplest form to watch one understand and then participate.

It was working with these children that led me into the

field of special education.

I graduated from Northern Illinois University with a

Bachelor of Science in Special Education with an emphasis

of Trainable Mentally Handicapped. For the next eight

years, I taught children with moderate to severe disabilities

including children with Autism, Down Syndrome, Developmental

Disabilities, Multiple Disabilities, and Physical Disabilities.

Through my travels to California, Colorado, and Utah,

I have had the opportunity to teach in both private and

public, self-contained and inclusive settings.

In my free time, I love spending time with the people

and animals closest to me. I enjoy taking long hikes

with my big Bernese Mountain Dog, Bruce, mountain biking,

camping, snowboarding, and taking a good Yoga class.

I love the natural beauty and all that Park City has

to offer a person with an active lifestyle.

It is my belief that learning should be fun. As a preschool

teacher at Colby, I am able to be as fun, creative, and

imaginative as I want to be. Learning through laughter

gives children an early appreciation for learning. If

children are given a positive school experience from

an early age, they will have the desire to continue to

seek out new information to expand their awareness about

their own interests and the world in which they live.