For students in the special education classroom, it’s all back: classes,
backpacks, math homework.
The start of the school year is different for everyone. Many students
miss the freedom of summer but sometimes the pros outweigh the cons
when returning to school.
Special Education teacher Mallory Hancock believes that her students
enjoy starting classes again.
“I think they’re happy for the most part,” Hancock said.
Back-to-school shopping, seeing friends again, and new classes make
the return exciting.
Sophomore Kiera Snodgrass, a student in Hancock’s class, is delighted
to be back in school.
“I love it,” Snodgrass said. “[It] always makes me smile.”
She enjoys reuniting with friends, new school supplies, and doing
experiments in science, her favorite class. But Snodgrass does miss some
parts of summer, like walking her dog.
Without classes taking up time, students can do many more fun activities.
Freshman Matthew Peterson also misses the liberties of summer.
“What I miss about summer is going and getting lemonade, going
swimming in Clinton Lake and having some fun,” Peterson said.
But Peterson, like Snodgrass, feels happy about returning to school.
“I’m happy I’m learning,” Peterson said, “and I’ve made some new
friends.”
Some classes are boring, but others are interesting and exciting. Peterson
enjoys his ceramics and cooking classes.
After a summer lull, it can be fun to see friends at school and even meet
new people.
Senior Montana Keeton is happy to spend time with her friends.
“I like my friends,” Keeton said.
She enjoys back-to-school shopping, and she’s happy to see her teachers
after summer.
In the special education classroom, it’s very important that students
like their teachers and are happy to see them every day, not just the first
day.
Hancock makes sure students and staff members work well together.
“Pairing the kids with staff members is always really important,”
Hancock said.
The staff and students always form a close-knit group. Staff members
work closely together, and students spend a lot of time with each other.
“We help with so many independent needs, that we’re always helping
each other,” Hancock said.
Hancock’s class is a highlight for many students. Last year, Mallory’s
classroom was Keeton’s favorite place to be.
“I think they enjoy it when they get to have lots of free time,” Hancock
said. “They do well with work and stuff too. It’s a good balance.”
With student and staff pairing, schedule planning, and other preparations,
Hancock has a full workload at the beginning of school. She must
design her own class and decide what classes will work best for students.
“I usually go through and put kids in General Ed classes,” Hancock
said. “That’s like the first thing I do, and then I figure out what kind of community
programs and job skill programs we can create for the room.”
Despite being busy, coming back to school can be easier for Hancock,
because students are still excited, and haven’t gotten bored with classes
yet.
“I find there to be like a honeymoon period for kids in the beginning,”
Hancock said. “In the beginning, some staff is new, classes are new, and
everything’s kinda new, so they are kind of feeling it out. But then, kids can
kind of get a little antsy about stuff.”