Spotlight on Sargent Staff
We are proud to highlight the achievements of our staff. With a
commitment of best practices in medical rehabilitation and special
education, our staff strives for excellence in providing care to
children, adults and families. On a regular basis, we will share our
staff’s expertise in this special corner, called Spotlight on Staff.
Spotlight on… Bettina Zimmerman, M.Ed., Head Teacher
Bettina Zimmerman is Sargent Center’s Head Teacher. Bettina’s career
began in Argentina, where she was born and raised. She attended the
National University of Cordoba and received a degree in speech therapy
and audiology. In Argentina, she worked in both private practice as well
as in schools for children with hearing impairment and other special
needs. She moved to the United States and attended Smith College in
Massachusetts, earning her Masters Degree in Education for the Deaf.
Bettina worked again in private practice as well as for the public
schools in Pennsylvania, traveling throughout her school district
teaching students with hearing and communication needs.
Bettina began her career at Sargent Center 21 years ago as a special
educator for the day school program. She was promoted several years ago
to Head Teacher. In her role at Sargent, Bettina helps supervise and
support the day school teaching staff and provides daily classroom
management. Bettina also develops curriculum for the day school, always
emphasizing students’ goals, strengths and needs as well as the
importance of experience-based, hands-on learning. Her scope in terms of
curriculum development includes seven special education classrooms as
well as two instructional teaching labs for science and reading. In
addition, Bettina is the Center’s coordinator for the statewide
Alternate Assessment, which is the standardized assessment tool for
students with special needs. In conjunction with her role at Sargent in
this capacity, Bettina also serves on the state’s Alternate Assessment
Advisory Committee.
Early in her career at Sargent, Bettina was nominated by her peers
and received the Center’s Special Recognition Award. Bettina was cited
for playing a key role on the Center’s interdisciplinary pediatric team.
Bettina’s greatest reward is “making a difference in the life of a
child.” Bettina finds satisfaction in working within a professional,
team-centered environment to achieve shared goals of helping children
with disabilities improve and make gains for life.
Sargent Center is pleased to highlight the work and expertise of Bettina Zimmerman.