Katelyn Flaherty

My name is Katelyn, and I’m 21 years old. I live in Westfield, MA with my mom, dad, younger sister Nora, and two dogs. I have two other brothers, one older in the army and one younger at Alabama State. I am a college student at WSU. In the future, I will be helping get food to people who are homeless. I also want to help teach little kids how to paint and draw. My dream job is to have my own business selling my art pieces. I’m an artist like my grandfather.

What are your strengths and talents?

My strengths and talents are dancing and gymnastics. I am also outgoing, and amazing at social media. I’m very social and love to travel. I’m kind, funny, and sweet. I was the Kindness Club president. I’m passionate about working out. I am a powerlifting medal winner in the Special Olympics. I love music—listening to it and signing.

What do you like about college?

I love making new friends here. I am so happy to be with the Westfield State University Inclusive Postsecondary Education (WIPSE) program. I like working with the women’s soccer and men’s basketball teams. I love going to as many activities and events as possible. My cousin and his girlfriend go to WSU, and I go to events with them and their friends. We’ve gone to Bingo, paint nights, comedy shows, family weekend, homecoming weekend, and so many other things.

Which courses did you take?

Sculpture, Computer Graphic Design, Photography, Building Classroom Communities, Philosophy of Education, Introduction to Theater, Design Fundamentals, Drawing 1, Rock Climbing, and Initiative Games & Ropes.

What did you like about your courses?

I liked Sculpture because I made a sculpture of an ice cream bowl and mushrooms in a forest, outside stuff. I liked Photography because I love my professor. I liked using a professional camera and learning to edit my photos. I made good friends in Building Classroom Community and learned about being a teacher. Now I’m a teacher’s assistant for the same class! It helped me with being an assistant teacher at the preschool. I did rock climbing in 4th grade and then a took a rock-climbing class at WSU. The wall was really high. I like being active.

What helped you in class?

Ed coaches (who are grad students). I like that they know the college and were students here. I loved Storm as soon as I met him, and then I met my new coach and I loved her too. Extra time on assignments also helped, and using my iPad in class. I write notes and then take pictures of them on my phone or iPad. Taking pictures of things in class for notes was helpful. It was also helpful to listen to audiobooks and watch films, but I do like reading, too.

What did you learn in college?

I met new people, did things on my own, learned self-advocacy skills, got around campus, and learned time management.

What internships did you do?

I was a teacher’s assistant with an Education professor, a classroom assistant at a local preschool, a women’s soccer assistant, and a men’s basketball assistant.

What else would you like people to know about you?

I was recently accepted into the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress Next Steps Academy. I’m so excited and so proud. This year, I will be one of the first students (in the WIPSE Program) to participate in the undergraduate graduation. After graduation, I hope to continue my education at Westfield and become an ed coach/peer leader for students in the dual-enrollment track.