When Valentina arrived at our high school, we initially wondered whether a traditional academic setting was the right fit for her. The curriculum here is deeply theoretical, delivered almost entirely through lecture.
But the school, drawing on the expertise of our special education staff, moved quickly to welcome her. We formed a dedicated team designed to build on her strengths.
Every day, Valentina works with a special education teacher and a specialized professional trained in AAC (augmentative and alternative communication), employed through a partnership agreement with a local cooperative. Beyond these core staff members, our specialist aides and support workers step in as needed—and they've developed a meaningful bond with her.
Over time, the school built a team around Valentina that welcomes her and supports her through every lesson. We shape each day to match her needs, adapting what's taught in her regular classes so she can truly access it.
Today we can say that the work we do—both one-on-one and within her classroom, with her teachers and her peers—has helped Valentina make real academic progress and feel genuinely included and emotionally supported.
The whole school—students and teachers alike—has embraced her. Every day, she walks in smiling, ready to engage with her coursework in ways that fit how she learns best and who she is.
Much of this success belongs to Valentina herself. She's shown tremendous strength, moving past her own hesitation to participate actively in an entirely new environment. She's a young woman of real conviction who makes herself known and understood. Though her communication is different from others', her contribution to our daily work is substantial. She's taught us how to refine what we do, day by day, so we can work together in the ways that help her grow most.
Her presence—in her classroom and throughout the school—has become something our students treasure. The work of the whole school, and its effect on the whole school, has shown us that in Valentina we have an invaluable resource for everyone's growth.