Purpose

• To give students with disabilities equal opportunities to learn and succeed.

Details

• 13 teachers, 6 paraprofessionals, and 4 interpreters
• Diane Kurbes is the current chair of 10 years

Department members and roles

• Jenny Bellamy, TRIAD consultant and learning specialist
• Jenna Boro, learning specialist
• Christine Chatham, interpreter
• Janet Combee, interpreter
• Austin Enriquez, learning specialist
• Amy Evert, learning specialist
• Shannon Gagliano, speech therapist
• Claire Goodrich, learning specialist
• Cindy Hartpence, learning specialist
• Julie Karneboge, learning specialist
• Diane Kurbes, department chair and learning specialist
• Mary Lehman, learning specialist
• Nicole Moore, learning specialist
• Jodi Morrow, learning specialist
• Samandra Muniz, interpreter
• Mandy Ratliff, learning specialist
• Courtney Savage, career-based instruction teacher
• Taylor Sweeney, learning specialist
• Barbara Thornton, learning specialist
• Melanie Williams, interpreter

Special education is a department for students who have disabilities that allow them to interact in a classroom setting and embrace educational opportunities. There are 20 teachers in this department, including speech therapists, interpreters and teachers that help with certain classes to assist the students in need of extra help.

“Our goal is to maximize student learning opportunities by teaching students strategies,” department chair Diane Kurbes said.

The teachers use learning strategies such as study session and working in small groups to help their students.

“I take material they have learned and chunk it into one to make it easier for them to understand,” learning specialist Nicole Moore said.

Special education teachers have perfected the readjusting act for students to receive the best education and assistance for them to succeed. “We continually have to adapt to the changes in curriculum and state laws,” Kurbes said.

Students and teachers have to use different learning techniques and more effort to help students to  be successful therefore, they enjoy seeing students accomplish their goals.

“It is incredibly rewarding to see students achieve their goals,” Kurbes said.