Key points:
Demand for special education services is increasing, with approximately 15 percent of public school students eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). At the same time, education officials at the state and local levels report being understaffed.
Now more than ever, as special education staff strive to manage a growing workload, while ensuring that every student receives the high-quality services they deserve, these dedicated employees deserve praise.
As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, we asked the nation’s top district leaders why they are grateful for their special education staff. Here’s what they said.
Special education staff are “rare and wonderful.”
Every district leader we interviewed agreed: It takes a special type of person to be a special education teacher or support professional.
“It’s a rare and wonderful human being to go into special education,” said Susan Enfield, OIT Group’s resident superintendent and former superintendent of the Washoe County School District in Nevada. “All of us in public education wake up every day believing that the impossible is possible. And for our colleagues who care for our students with special needs, who need more than others, they give more. They deserve as much gratitude, love and support as we can give them.
“There is a great sense of gratitude to the group of people who dedicate their lives every day to the work and well-being of struggling students, to the work and well-being of students who are not easily accepted by all of our schools . and our communities, as well as to families who want to make sure their children get what they need to get ahead,” agreed Carolyn Quintana, former deputy chancellor for teaching and learning for the LA Public Schools. New York City, echoed this sentiment. . “These are people who arrive with passion and commitment, who never miss an opportunity to gain additional training, to learn and develop, who always arrive with great ideas and new ways of thinking about support to students. »
“No matter what happens, the ups and downs, they are resilient,” said Nerlande Anselme, superintendent of the Rome City School District in New York. “They show up, they come to work with joy and they always think about putting the kids first.”
Special education staff are advocates.
These special staff members advocate for students, says Mary-Anne Sheppard, executive director of leadership development for Norwalk Public Schools in Connecticut.
“When I can see a young student standing up for what they need in a classroom or standing up for what isn’t working for them, that’s the imprint of our special educators,” she said.
Rachel Alex, executive director of leadership development for the Aldine Independent School District in Texas, said special education staff are “putting pressure on” teachers, administrators and parents.
“They stay on the job, stay in the fight, stay true to meeting the needs of all students,” Alex said. “They really think about all. Thank you for standing up for our students who have no voice and are forced to adapt to what is normal and not what is appropriate.
Special education staff truly respond to the diverse needs of students.
Kyla Johnson-Trammell, superintendent of the Oakland Unified School District in California, said special education staff are among the brightest educators because they truly understand how to differentiate instruction to meet the diverse needs of students . All educators can learn from the “wisdoms and gems” of their special education peers when it comes to planning, instructional design and communicating with families, she said.
“We are very grateful for the talented education professionals that we have in the field of special education, because they actually have a lot of answers to some of the things that we do when we try to solve fringe problems. ” Johnson-Trammell said.
Special educators are invaluable – to schools, to students, and to families.
Two of the leaders, Margaret Crespo and Penny Schwinn, spoke about the impact the special education staff has had on their professional and personal lives.
“As a parent of a student enrolled in an IEP, but also as a lifelong educator, I cannot thank our specialists enough for the incredible work they do,” said Crespo, OIT Group Resident Superintendent and former superintendent of Laramie. Wyoming County School District. “The lifts they provide to general education teachers and the rest of us as parents are truly incredible.”
Schwinn, vice president of PK-12 and pre-licensure programs at the University of Florida and former Tennessee state education commissioner, echoed that sentiment. Schwinn’s daughter also has an IEP, and she praised her daughter’s therapist for helping her make progress without ever making her feel different.
“(My daughter) never felt embarrassed or scared by her disability. She felt like it was just something unique and special about her, and she worked really hard,” Schwinn said. “It wasn’t just a function of my daughter. It was the role of her teacher and team who motivated, encouraged and uplifted her.
Schwinn added, “I couldn’t be more grateful for the work our special educators and support staff do because it changes lives. »
Heather Sanchez, superintendent of schools for the Bellevue School District in Washington, said that while education can sometimes seem like a thankless job, special education staff need to remember that what they do has an incredible impact.
“There’s a real army of people behind you cheering you on because no one else can do what you do,” Sanchez said, “and we need you.”
The interviews were conducted by Presencea provider of special education and mental health-related assessments and teletherapy services for K-12 schools, as part of its Visionary Voices video series. Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.
