Social, educational programming present opportunities for those in support programs
Asher Smith, son of Durango School District Board President Kristin Smith, at his Durango High School graduation. Asher now attends Fort Lewis College. (Courtesy of Kristin Smith)
Durango School District Board of Education President Kristin Smith says she is deeply vested in the district’s focus on special education – not only as a board member but as the mother of a student with physical and intellectual disabilities.
Smith’s 21-year-old son, Asher, has physical and intellectual disabilities. Smith attributes some of his success as a thriving Fort Lewis College student to the belief teachers had in him and the opportunities he was given when he attended district schools.
Asher went to Needham Elementary School, Miller Middle School and Durango High School, Smith said, where he was given a wealth of opportunities to learn, grow and achieve his highest potential.
She said Asher learned to read and was able to follow his dream of becoming a teacher through his experiences at district schools. He completed internships where he read to day care and preschool children, and is continuing his journey toward becoming a teacher by taking education classes at FLC, she said.
Asher participated in music classes and the DHS band in high school, was a cheerleader for Miller Middle School and Durango High School, and spent two years on the DHS student council. He continues to cheer at FLC.
Asher Smith, right, son of Durango School District Board President Kristin Smith, cheering at Durango High School. Asher, now 21, cheers for Fort Lewis College. (Courtesy of Kristin Smith)
“It would have been easy for the school district to say that Asher needed to be separated from his general education peers or that he could not be a teacher because of his limitations,” Smith said. “Instead, through many conversations in Individualized Education Program meetings and through teachers’ experiences with Asher as their student, educators in the Durango School District continued to listen and to hope for Asher to achieve his dreams.”
When asked if he liked his time at DSD schools, Asher – who best processes “yes” or “no” questions – gave a resounding, “Yes!”
Smith said it hasn’t always been an easy journey, but that the Durango School District was committed to adjusting and adapting programming to Asher’s needs and filling in programming gaps when needed.
Asher Smith, son of Durango School District Board President Kristin Smith, cheering at Fort Lewis College. (Courtesy of Kristin Smith)
According to district spokeswoman Karla Sluis, a range of key programs and resources are offered to students with disabilities.
Those include the Individualized Education Program process, which allows for eligible students to receive tailored instruction and supports; Early Childhood Special Education, which supports young learners with disabilities; and the Pathways to Independence program, which assists young adults aged 18 to 21 in developing independent living, employment and community skills.
The district also offers homebound instruction, and general behavioral and mental health supports from specialized staff members.
The district’s Special Education Advisory Committee – a parent and community educator partnership in which input is provided, experiences are shared and collaborations are fostered to improve the district’s special education services – is also an important part of the district’s special education programming, Sluis said.
Social programming is also an important part of how the district accommodates students with special needs.
A Significant Support celebration held at the Impact Career Innovation Center on Nov. 20 was the first district special needs social event of many, said Mari Stevenson, director of special education. Students and families were given the opportunity to chat, dine and kick off the holiday season. The district hopes to hold four special education events per year going forward, she said.
The celebration was brought to life by the district’s special education students themselves, from kindergarteners to young adults in the Pathways to Independence program, Stephanie Hoar said.
Hoar, who has been a special education teacher with the district for 19 years, said social offerings like the Significant Support celebration allow the district’s special education students and families to get together for a fun night of connection and celebration – something that can be just as important as the district’s educational programming.
“Some of these guys don’t always get to do some of the events,” she said. “Sometimes events are very overwhelming for these guys, and to have them all in the same room together and seeing kids who look like them and act like them, and the parents (being able to) talk and go, ‘Hey, how was your day?’ (is important).”
Aurea Cortes, right, attended the Nov. 20 Significant Support celebration at the Impact Career Innovation Center held by Durango School District with son Ian, 12. (Elizabeth Pond/Durango Herald)
Aurea Cortes spoke about her son Ian’s experiences in the district while attending the Significant Support celebration.
Ian, 12, has been attending district schools since he was 3. He is now preparing to continue his studies at Miller Middle School.
Aurea said she feels safe leaving Ian with the district’s special education educators, and that he has been flourishing at Riverview Elementary School.
“He has very severe medical needs and developmental and intellectual disabilities, and the special education team is a group that I can trust – that I know I can drop Ian off with and I know they are going to really take care of him,” she said. “All of the therapists have been amazing, trying to cater to and help him. He’s just happy. He’s just thriving there.”
Aurea said it felt good to see all the students, families and educators at the event.
“It’s nice to see other parents that maybe you don’t necessarily see at school,” she said. “We just love how dedicated everyone has been – how attentive, how caring. Everyone feels like family now, and it’s nice to have that feeling.”
District families feasted, chatted and celebrated at the Nov. 20 Significant Support celebration at the Impact Career Innovation Center, held by the Durango School District. Middle through young adult special education students helped cook the food for the event. (Elizabeth Pond/Durango Herald)
Smith said it’s essential that educators never place limits on what might be possible for any student, including those with disabilities.
“When educators hold hope for every student and when they believe in every students’ dreams, young people rise,” she said. “And when all students are given the chance to soar, our schools and our world become better places.”
epond@durangoherald.com
Mari Stevenson, left, director of special education for the district, spoke alongside student Charlie at the Nov. 20 Significant Support celebration at the Impact Career Innovation Center. (Elizabeth Pond/Durango Herald)
Elementary school special education students crafted centerpieces and decorations for the Nov. 20 Significant Support celebration at the Impact Career Innovation Center, held by Durango School District. (Elizabeth Pond/Durango Herald)
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