Hi!

This is Ian! Ian has ADHD, OCD and trouble succeeding in a standard classroom setting. Ian has big emotions and big behaviors and needs a smaller classroom setting with more supports. Last year, Ian was accepted in to the Behavior Continuum (BC) Program at different school in our school district. This program offers a different learning setting that is more tailored towards the individual child and also incorporates social, emotional learning as well. As Ian gains skills, he is slowly transitioned back over to Gen Ed, but always allowed back in his BC class if he gets overwhelmed. The BC program consists of 2 teachers and multiple Paraprofessionals for support.

This year, Ian has 2 new teachers. Both are new to teaching, as well as to the BC program. Additionally all but one Paraprofessional is new to the program. In my meetings with BC staff regarding Ian's behavior, Ian's Educational Advocate also attends and gives advice to both teachers. I have noticed that she is coaching them and they ask quite a few questions. I would like to raise some money to purchase some additional training for these brave souls who show up everyday and pour their hearts into what they do. It's not easy. My son's advocate has a PhD in Education and spent several years in a similar program teaching. She has experience training/mentoring new teachers in other school districts. I believe the BC staff would benefit greatly having access to someone who has extensive experience in this area. The teacher burnout factor is high for this program because how difficult the kids can be, but the rewards of watching them succeed are why these teachers choose this path. Access to a little more support for them would not only help Ian, but would also help all the kids who need this program to grow and succeed. Without it, I'm not sure where we'd be.