Technology allows Barb Hartseil, a special ed teacher, to continue teaching her students while she is recuperating from injuries sustained in a car accident. While she is expected to make a full recovery — it will be a long one. Video conferencing technology has allowed the homebound teacher to maintain her position, and quality of life — remaining productive and happy in spite of her disability.

Special education teacher Barb Hartseil was in a serious car accident in late January, and her five students really needed to know she was OK after a nearly two-month absence. Modern technology allayed their fears, with students and teacher using video-conferencing software to see and hear each other.

Now, Cody Gravett, 14, and his classmates regularly see and hear their teacher as she recuperates from two broken legs.

“She works with students with autism and we were discovering that the students were having an exceptionally difficult time with her absence,” said Nora Bardi, the school’s assistive technology coordinator.

“It’s wonderful what technology can do,” said Rita Gyires, technology training coordinator for Normal-based Unit 5 schools.