Teacher, student have close relationship
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff reporter
Susan Levra-Wallace has been Ryan Olsen's teacher since he was five years old. The 14-year-old teen-ager has been blind from birth except for the ability to see lights and shadows out of one eye.
Ryan has received special education services since he was five months old.
As a seventh grade student at Centre Junior High School, Ryan studies the same subject matter as everyone else except it is in Braille. He learns math using the Nemeth Code, a system of beads on a counter. He also receives special training in orientation and mobility.
Wallace sought various means to provide Ryan with the tools he needed to do schoolwork. Through a grant from Northview Developmental Services, Newton, she was able to obtain a "talking" computer, Braille printer, scientific calculator, and several special software programs.
At the present time, Ryan is able to process almost 40 words per minute on his computer.
Ryan's para-educator is Holly Hemmer. She spends a lot of time with him and has had to learn Braille in order to help him read books and take tests.
"We've got a real three-some going," Wallace said.
Ryan's mother, JoAnn Olsen, said Wallace is not so much Ryan's teacher as she is a member of the family.
"She's one of my best friends," she said. "There's no part of Ryan's life that she's not intricately involved in."
JoAnn said Hemmer is like a big sister to Ryan: "She takes care of him and he gives her grief."
JoAnn said Ryan loves all kinds of music. He participates in band and vocal groups and is teaching himself how to play the guitar.
The Olsens live in Lincolnville. JoAnn said the people of the community accept Ryan and make him feel a part of them: "That's why we live here."
Ryan has a brother, Josh, who is two years younger and watches out for his big brother. They have several cousins and other friends in town who also help him.
JoAnn said Ryan rides his bike around town. She said Wallace and Hemmer taught him to ride bike without training wheels. She said she worries about his safety but it's one thing he really likes to do so she lets him go.
Of course, Ryan thinks his teacher is the best. That's why he submitted her name for "teacher of the year" at Salina's Sam's Club.
"Mrs. Wallace has gone to school so that she can teach me," he said when nominating her. "She is a wonderful teacher and my second mom."
Wallace was winner of the annual award and received $500, which will go to Marion County Special Education Cooperative for her use
Wallace has a degree in Early Childhood Education and spent three years in summer school at the University of Nebraska to obtain certification in vision impairment.
She is employed by Marion County and Harvey County Special Education Cooperatives and travels from school to school as instructor for the visually impaired. She has 22 students this year, including Ryan at Centre, two at Hillsboro, and three at Marion.
In addition to teaching, Wallace provides vision evaluations for pre-schoolers and special needs children within the county.
Wallace's husband, Lacy, is Centre High School counselor. They reside near Pilsen and have a rural Marion address.
