EC
Exceptional Children’s (EC) Committee Chair: Donna Beckmann, dbeckmann@nc.rr.com, 682-5188.
The Exceptional Children’s (EC) Committee of the PTA at George Watts is a group of parents and teachers working to advocate for all students. Our three areas of focus:
1) Provide support to all George Watts teachers and support staff.
Very few individuals in today’s society “wear” their disability. People do not want to be labeled or identified by their disability. So students and parents are often not aware of a classmate’s special needs. But over 10% of all DPS students are in the EC program (any student with an IEP – Individualized Education Plan – is in the EC program). At George Watts there are EC students in every regular classroom and there are 2 separate classrooms dedicated to EC students.
2) Provide consistent, ongoing school-wide disability awareness.
EC students must be integrated with regular classrooms as much as possible. Natural relationships are formed when children with disabilities study and play alongside their typically-developing peers. Friendships are nurtured, and students recognize and celebrate each other’s strengths. But inclusion does not work when parents of children with disabilities force their way into an environment. It happens when they are genuinely welcomed. Acceptance and inclusion take time.
Remember these two principles that Maria Montessori declared as the foundation of Montessori pedagogy:
- * the universal characteristics of the human child
- * the child as a unique, unrepeatable, respectable, and admirable individual to be unconditionally accepted as one of life’s most marvelous expressions.
In other words, despite any outward differences, we are all alike in many fundamental ways. Yet we all are unique. EVERY child – no exceptions! – has something special to offer our community!
3) Provide support and education for parents of children receiving services through the EC program.
In many cases, development delays are identified after a child begins school. Entering the maze of special education can be confusing and overwhelming for the parents. A unique challenge in supporting these parents is that we don’t know who you are! Confidentiality prevents the identification of students receiving services.
Raising awareness and providing support is not something that can be done by or targeted to a small, easily-identified sub-set of our community. Therefore we invite all parents and staff to participate in the EC Committee of the PTA. Please contact the EC Committee Chair, Donna Beckmann for more information: dbeckmann@nc.rr.com or 919-682-5188.
