Featured Senior: Danielle Taflinger ’14

Major: intervention specialist education
Hometown: Lima, Ohio
“Findlay has been the perfect choice for me,” said Danielle Taflinger, a student-athlete who will graduate in May with a degree in intervention specialist education. “I have had such an awesome experience here with academics, athletics and extra-curricular activities. I wouldn’t change a thing!”
Taflinger decided during her freshman year that pursuing a special education teaching licensure was what she wanted to do. She credits her academic advisor, Susan Brooks, assistant professor in the College of Education, with having a special impact on her choice.
“I took her first special education course in the spring of my freshman year and loved it,” said Taflinger. “From then on, she has been an awesome mentor to me and is always there if I ever need guidance in regards to my major – or even about non-academic situations, and she always was there in the stands cheering me on at volleyball games whenever she could be!”
As an intervention specialist, Taflinger is certified K-12, and the College of Education staff made sure that she was able to experience three grade levels in elementary, middle and high school during the course of her field experiences.
“My field experience during my sophomore, junior and senior year have helped me prepare for my career as a teacher,” she said. “I’ve been in elementary, middle school and high school-level classroom settings, and now that I’m applying for teaching positions, I feel confident in each of those areas.”

During her college career at Findlay, Taflinger split her time between preparing to be an educator and playing volleyball for the Oilers. She was on the varsity volleyball team, “which was an awesome experience.” Taflinger especially enjoyed the opportunity to travel with her team and meet new friends.
Taflinger also was involved with the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Kappa Delta Pi Educational Honor Society.
As a senior student-athlete, Taflinger was given the Mancuso Award, which is given to the top male and top female athlete at Findlay each year. Taflinger was chosen for the honor because of her athletic achievements, academic performance and character.
During her volleyball career, Taflinger was a two-time Division II All-American, and she was awarded with the GLIAC Commissioners Award, which is given to the top six female and top six male athletes from the conference, considering both athletic and academic achievements.
Following graduation, Taflinger hopes to combine her love for sports with her passion for teaching and obtain a teaching and coaching position.

---