There are very few names in this world like Susan W. Owens. She has dedicated forty years of her life to understanding and supporting children, particularly those who are often overlooked or underserved by the traditional education system. Born in New Castle, Pennsylvania, she began her journey with degrees in Elementary and Special Education from Slippery Rock University.
Her career was defined by hands-on service. This includes fourteen years spent teaching students with specific learning disabilities and mental handicaps in Pennsylvania, followed by ten years at Fruitville Elementary in Sarasota, Florida. While teaching in North Port, Florida, she was asked by her principal to design the “PEARL PROGRAM,” a specialized initiative for at-risk students that became so successful it drew visitors from across the country. These educators repeatedly urged her to document her unique and fascinating methods.
In addition to her classroom work, Susan served as an adjunct professor at the State College of Florida, teaching courses on diverse populations and special education. Her expertise reached an international stage in 2007 when she was invited to Oxford University to present her research on “DOMINANCE: A KEY FACTOR IN LITERACY ACQUISITION.” Following her presentation, attendees dubbed her the “BRAIN LADY,” acknowledging the depth of her research.
Even after her retirement in the year 2007, Susan continued to serve as an inclusion specialist and a Title I consultant. From there, she remains a vocal advocate for systemic change, deeply believing that we should add an extra developmental year at the beginning of school to help children who are not yet ready for academics, as well as provide tech/trade certifications in high school to ensure every student graduates with a viable skill.
Her work is driven by a profound sense of purpose, and after seeing too many students lose their way, she released Mrs. No No’s Storybook to offer a preventative tool for the next generation.
She writes with raw, personal conviction, noting that the pain of losing students to violence is what fuels her passion. As Susan says, she used these methods in her own classroom, and she knows they work to change lives. Teachers can use the puppet as a gentle, consistent guide to reinforcing positive values through the “Raps for Respect.” This will help children build their own internal conscience rather than simply following external rules, which in turn creates a predictable and secure atmosphere where students are empowered to self-correct and grow, allowing you to focus more on teaching and less on managing disruptions.
You can learn more about her mission by searching for Susan W. Owens or Mrs. No No’s Storybook, or visit the following;
Head to Amazon to purchase your copy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FPPJX6DR
Visit the website, https://mrsnonostorybook.com/, to learn more.
