The spread of the coronavirus has led to many changes within the school building, and this includes changes for Special Education classes. 

 Special education students are either virtual or hybrid, but some attend school every day, depending on their Individual Education Plan (IEP) mandates. 

Teachers run each day as if it were seven periods, including Wednesdays, even though other teachers follow a block schedule and have no students to teach on Wednesdays.

 “Most of our students are able to put their mask on and do it all by themselves, but others have to adapt and use things like face shields,” teacher Maggie Cooper says about how her specific students are adapting to all of the changes.  

The students’ at-home support systems have also made the process easier for teachers. 

“Parents have been really great,” Cooper says. “They come to us about their concerns, and we try to adjust as we can, just working through a lot of technology issues.” 

Unfortunately, the usefulness of working in small groups has been taken away and so has the mobility that used to exist. Although the special needs classes occupy just two rooms, Cooper and teacher David Conrad have readjusted the layout to keep their students separated and safe. 

While the COVID-19 virus has taken much away from both general education and special education students, Cooper still sees a silver lining. Instead of focusing on how the spread of a global pandemic can negatively affect her classes, she hones in on the advantages. 

“We’re working right now on a lot of technology skills, life skills, emailing,”she explains excitedly. “We’re taking this time to really push technology.”