MCPASD provides robust resources and excellent services for students with disabilities. The District’s Special Education Services staff includes 85 special education teachers who serve nearly 900 students with disabilities. They are supported by more than 125 full-time and part-time paraeducators who serve both regular and special education students.
“Our special education department is filled with highly knowledgeable, creative, empathetic and hard working individuals who go above and beyond every day on the job,” said Laurie Wood, occupational therapist at Middleton High School. “I feel fortunate to work alongside such incredible staff.”
Special Education Services staff members support students in areas including autism, emotional behavioral disability, learning disability, speech and language, intellectual disability, blind and visually impaired, deaf and hard of hearing, orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, significant development delay, and traumatic brain injury. Support services may start in MCPASD’s early childhood and 4K programs.
“I have been so proud each year to see the growth and progress each and every one of my students have made,” said Sara Arnholz, special education teacher at the MCPASD 4K/Early Learning Center.
Most students receive support within their regular classrooms through co-teaching or in-class assistance, reflecting the District's commitment to inclusive education. This commitment is reflected in programs including the Adapted Sports League, a league for high school students with disabilities.
Support services extend beyond high school in MCPASD with Cardinal Academy, a post-high-school program for students ages 18-21 with Individual Education Programs (IEPs).
“The most rewarding part of working with students is seeing their growth and celebrating those successes with them,” said Molly Morse, Beyond 18 teacher at Cardinal Academy. “The joy of seeing them learn a new skill or a concept finally clicking is beautiful to behold.”
With the continuum of services that MCPASD provides, teachers experience these fulfilling moments with the youngest learners as well as post-high school students.
“Every child deserves a learning environment where they feel seen, heard, and valued,” said MCPASD Director of Special Education Cindy Malcheski. “Everyone benefits from learning from people who are different from them.”
This story originally appeared in the October edition of our District-wide Community Compass newsletter. Check out the newsletter for the latest District news!