School

Opening a World of Learning Opportunities
for Students with Special Needs

At the Special L.I.N.K.S. Learning Center, Ms. Dean has set up innovative ways to be an effective teacher and each one of her students responds in amazing ways to her teaching methods. Her classroom is multi-sensory, engaging and stimulating. The children communicate to each other and to the classroom staff. They use spoken English, sign language, switch buttons and picture symbols. Ms. Dean not only fosters an atmosphere of high academic achievement, but also of respect and compassion toward others. Every morning the students greet one another and have a round table discussion of the previous night's events. The non-verbal students participate equally in this morning routine through switches and pictures and the others learn to be patient with the students that need additional wait time to respond.

The classroom is based on an emphasis that everyone can succeed. Ms. Dean has a specific "program" for each individual child. They not only achieve the goals laid out in their own IEP's, but accomplish much more than most believe possible. Ms. Dean educates herself to each child's unique set of abilities and challenges. The classroom does activities as a whole group, smaller groups or individually. To spend a day in Ms. Dean's classroom is like watching a well choreographed ballet. It is inspiring and amazing.