"Every child deserves a champion — an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be." My special ed students work hard every day to reach their potential. I give them the tools to make it possible.
My students are special education students at an arts-based magnet school.
Each student is selected to attend our school based on an audition in one the performing arts or visual arts, along with a demonstrated commitment to hard work in school. They excel in the arts, yet often struggle in other classes. My students inspire me with their commitment to their education and their willingness to work hard, ask for help, and never give up. Most of my students will attend college after four years of high school, and it is my goal that they do so with the necessary literacy skills to succeed in an even more challenging environment than our rigorous high school. This requires teamwork between my students, the special education English teacher (me), and the general education English teachers. I support students in grades 9 through 12.
My Project
Our students sign up for four years that are challenging for kids without disabilities, but add in a disability, you quickly see students who have developed a singular motivation and commitment to their education. I work every day with these students, devising creative ways to maximize their inclusion in their English classes and their access to grade level and higher curriculum. If each of my students could have access to a Chromebook, delivery of accommodations and modifications could be both discreet, preserving their desire to "blend in" with their non-disabled peers, and efficient, allowing me to reach students across multiple classrooms at one time. Without this technology, students have access to me only when I can physically be in their classroom. With this technology, students would have access to necessary modifications and accommodations while in their class when they need it, even if I am in another classroom.
My students are highly motivated to achieve, and work hard every day.
Having access to a Chromebook would allow them significantly greater access to the supports they often need to reach their goals, and would broaden the availability of a small special education staff through this technology.
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