With many different types of learning styles and abilities, students being able to learn in a way that is able to help them throughout their education can be effective. Similarly, in special education classrooms, both teachers and students have many different methods of learning and ways to drive their students toward success.
“Definitely the students’ success and achievement, I feel like sometimes not in the typical grade format or rate of all the students in the building, but every student is able to learn and achieve and make success in their own way. I think it’s important because everybody deserves a free and appropriate education whether that is in a quote unquote ‘typical format’ or in an individualized format,” said special education teacher Taylor Welch.
Additionally, special education teachers find pride in the progress and achievements their students make on a daily basis. Special education teacher Alexis Hornung explained that each day is different and the way the school day goes cannot be predicted.
“It’s seeing them finally make it to an expectation or standard. I mean it’s a fresh start everyday, one day they might not get something and the other day they may be totally different,” said Hornung. “I would say there are behavioral challenges, but day to day it’s different, one day it can be a really great day and one day some may struggle, but we work around it so I don’t see anything that’s necessarily challenging.”
As opposed to being in a larger classroom with a lot of different students, being in a smaller group setting can allow special education students to have a safe space to complete their work.
“So students have a safe place that they can go to when they’re surrounded by their own similar peers and be able to branch out in other classrooms too. I love the small group environment and just meeting the students at a more personal level and being there to support them,” said Hornung.
Similarly, junior Samira Beam explained that Best Buddies can provide students with a safe space where everyone can just be themselves.
“My favorite part is the individuality of everyone and how people are allowed to be themselves in there and they don’t have to mask or fake their feelings at all. It’s just a very honest thing like some of the kids will be very straightforward with you and that’s good because it [Best Buddies] is very trusting,” she said.
Not only do the teachers provide support for these students, but the school also helps support both the teachers and the students in order to create these safe learning environments.
“Overall I feel like the school does a really good job of giving us the resources that we feel will best support our students and their learning environment as a whole. I feel like anything that I have ever asked for with explanation the school has been willing to give me the funds to get it,” said Welch.
In addition to teachers, students that are a part of groups such as Best Buddies can give students an opportunity to help and get to know their peers through fundraisers and activities.
“We try to do two events every month, one after school, and one on the weekends. We do different activities like painting pumpkins, decorating cookies. We have the friendship walk which is a big fundraiser that we do every year. We’ll continue to do a talent show next year as well,” said junior Macee Laritz.
Furthermore, students explained that the relationships they form through Best Buddies is one of the most important parts of the club, and can be extremely rewarding.
“The most important part is the relationships. That unique experience of meeting people you wouldn’t usually meet. I’m a tutor now in the class, but Best Buddies has taught me so much, like the kids will teach you how to not care about what others think,” said Beam.
Even with many students being involved and supportive of special education, there are still challenges that come along with being part of a small environment within an expansive and diverse community in public schools.
“It depends on the student population and how they have viewed special education because I know it’s different school to school. Here, I feel like a lot of people are accepting and they understand special education, but one thing would be to be more accepting of the behaviors that may come about and not so much egging on the behaviors, to view it as more of a more mature experience,” said Hornung.
Ultimately, both students and teachers work hard in creating a safe and positive environment for students in the special education department.
“I think what’s most important is taking away the stigma and making everyone equal. We shouldn’t treat anyone differently because of the different challenges that others go through or just because someone is different,” said Laritz.