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By Lukas Ponte, Video Editor
At Kennedy High there are eight secret agents on campus who do stellar work with even better kids. Under the title of Specialized Academic Instruction (SAI), they work in the Severely Handicapped (SH) class located in room 702. The eight secret agent’s names: Cesar Lopez, Dalia Tawfik, Amber Barfield, Shiloh Woody, Mike Jo, Gustavo Guttierrez, Michelle Zaccaria and John Teutimez.
Teutimez handles the highly confidential paperwork for the students and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). IEPs document what the students want to achieve, can already do, and struggle with. IEPs also include their disabilities and whether or not they need American Sign Language (ASL), Speech Therapy, Adapted Physical Education (APE) or Special Education (SE).
“I really like how the students are included with the general education in elective classes, and not secluded in an independent room,” ASL teacher Guttierrez said.
Guttierrez has been working as Kennedy’s ASL teacher for two years and enjoys watching the kids through their years at Kennedy. Guttierrez is a huge advocate of “communication is key” since some students speak through sign or a language device, and communicating can become difficult.
Kim Freels, mother of Willum Freels, enjoys Teutimez’s class and the work he and his aids do. Freels believes that the class is very focused, teaching the students what they need to know to interact in the future. She really enjoys how Teutimez incorporates inclusion within the general ed and is always looking for a better opportunity to have something more for his students.
“I think he challenges his students to not only progress academically but socially,” Freels said.
Some of the SAI’s work one on one with a student for specific needs outlined in an IEP meeting. Tawfik works individually with a student because of her behavior issues, as well as Jo. Tawfik knows her triggers and how to relax her when she is having a dilemma. This system allows the students to feel like they can confide in the SAIs and listen to them, seeing the SAI as a mentor and help.
If an SAI is not individualized to a student they help every student they can. This is really where the SAI’s are able to bond with the students and learn more about them. An SAI who does this well is Lopez, as he can be seen interacting with a multitude of the students everyday in his own way.
One of the SAI’s had to be out for a while leaving Woody as a substitute SAI. The students had been with Woody since the beginning of the year and formed a tight bond with her. During her last few days the students were visible sad that she had to go, taking pictures and signing a card during a potluck.
On the flip side when Zaccaria came back it was neat to see the students very excited to see that she was back for the rest of the year. The students came to talk to her throughout the day reforming an old bond from last year.
Teutimez’s and the SAIs’ work is truly amazing, giving the students a bright future and help them throughout an important four-year period of their life. The students are well educated and taken care of, being able to interact with other students, and having a fun time learning. The work the SH teachers do is something to not be taken for granted or overlooked.
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