Polka-dot walls, name tags written with different colored Sharpies, vibrant pictures on a bulletin board, and eye-catching blue chairs filled with cheerful students—this is Classroom Eight at The Laradon School. At the front of the classroom is a big smile worn by Jenna, Classroom Eight’s Special Education Teacher.
Classroom Eight is one of ten classrooms at The Laradon School, which serves 70 students with intellectual and developmental disabilities on a yearly basis.
Each student has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) tailored to meet their specific needs, ensuring they can succeed and thrive.
Jenna has been working at The Laradon School for a year. During this time, her dedication to teaching students in Classroom Eight has never wavered. Many of her students are nonverbal, meaning they do not communicate through speech but can express themselves in other forms.
To connect with her students Jenna repeats their jargon, gestalts, or even models their AAC device (a tool that helps people with speech or language impairments communicate). Through this commitment to empower her students, Jenna has been able to build trust and understanding with her students.
“Making that connection with my students by working with them to solve problems is huge,” Jenna emphasizes. “It helps them feel less alone.”
Jenna also highlights the importance of not feeling alone by creating an environment where students feel comfortable making connections with each other. Even though some students within Classroom Eight are nonverbal, they still show their support for one another through physical gestures like fist bumps and high fives.
“The kindness they show toward one another is very special,” Jenna says.
That kindness is shown not only by students, but also by the other staff members Jenna works alongside at The Laradon School. When someone enters Classroom Eight, they are immediately greeted with warmth and friendliness from the staff, creating an uplifting energy that stays with them throughout the day.
“I have caring students in my classroom, and equally caring staff,” Jenna shares with a smile. “I enjoy working together to help support the students.”
Because of Jenna’s teaching methods, Classroom Eight is a place where students feel safe and supported. The kindness and trust between the students and staff help everyone feel connected. As Jenna continues her work at The Laradon School, the impact she makes will only grow, creating an even bigger atmosphere for students to thrive.
Written by: Parker Gordon, Laradon’s Communication Coordinator
