There is a group of wonderful kids that people really don’t know all that well. They probably the nicest and most loving kids we have on this campus. Mrs. Pena is one of many unknown people that help out with the Special Education Program. She teaches the Vocational Program, with the selection of students ranging from 18-22 years of age.

“We work really hard to get to know them as individuals. We also try to know what they like and or dislike as well,” Mrs. Pena said. “Because you’ll be surprised to know that they might love the same things that you like.”

Her job doesn’t differ all that much from general education teachers. Her main purpose, like all of your teachers, is to make sure her students move on to a post-secondary education institution and/or a peaceful future after high school. The teachers try very hard to pair themselves with the kids and try to help them understand that they are reinforcement for them. The children are so enthusiastic about learning every day. They love coming to school, which can be harder than others students. But they come anyway.

“Life is not a segregated place. It’s not just work, work, work. It’s also fun. And that’s what we, as a whole, try to perpetrate at the end of the day,” Mrs. Pena said.

The Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that states students can be in school up to the age of 22 if they have special needs. The law also states that, “kids are entitled to a free and an appropriate education.”

The special education program ranges from children with a physical disability to children with specific problems with just one subject. Someone can be in a general education class with the entire school population and students may never know that they are classified as such.

At the end of the day, the teachers say they feel a little more grateful that they are helping the these special children and their future endeavors.

“Our goal is to get them on the right path of life just like another teacher or parent,” Mrs. Pena said.

For more info on the IDEA go to this website: http://www.understandingspecialeducation.com/special-education-law.html