1. Quincy Classroomhas special group of students
Sometimesstudentsneedasmallerclassroom settingtohelpsupporttheiremotional andbehavioral
needs. This self-containedsettingatthe elementarylevelisavailable atJenningsElementarySchool in
Quincy. The studentsinMrs. Johnson’sroomreceive thisextrasupportthroughanIndividual Education
Program (IEP). Thisisa special educationservice offeredthroughBranchISD.
Mrs. Johnsonhas beenteaching studentswithEmotionalandBehavioral issues for23 years andhas
beentogetherwithParaprofessionalValenciaBarrettfor18 years,while Paraprofessional Kerry Smith
joinedthem4years ago.Together,theyworkwithstudentsfromdifferentgrades,needs,andlevelsof
behaviorconcernsto focuson providing studentswith the neededsocial skillstheylack. Todo that,
there isa level systeminplace tohelpthemmonitorthe students. Mrs. Johnson evaluatestheir
behaviorhourly. She alsoteachesasocial skillscurriculum.
The studentsdohave the opportunitytoparticipate withtheirgeneral educationpeersduringthe day,
and theiracademicgoalsare the same as the general educationpopulation. Overthe yearsMrs.
Johnson’sstudentshave attendedthe general educationsettingtoagreaterdegree because theyhave
learnedthe skillstheyneedtohandle challengingtimesappropriately. Ascommunitysupportservices
receive fewerfunds,more studentsneedhelpinthe classroomsetting.
Mrs. Johnson’sclassroomprovidesasafe place to buildrelationshipswithadultsandtolearnhow to
make and keepfriends. Studentsexperience acceptance andsuccess. Throughpositive behavior
supportsstudents learntobe happy,successful studentswhogrow academically,behaviorally,and
emotionally.