AHS upgrades special ed rooms
By Emma Sherman
Published March 21, 2019
Aitkin High School remodeled most of first and second floor. The school tore down most of second floor where the special ed department used to be and first floor where most of the math classrooms were. Now there are more classrooms for both floors. The three special ed teachers/paras thought it was great to have all the special ed classrooms together in one area so when one needs help and is at another room next door, the staff could more easily step in to help.
Teachers and paras also like that they have a private bathroom for special needs. They all agree that transportation is easier for the disabled kids to get on the bus where there's not a lot of students wandering around in the hallways. Another thing that the teachers and students really like is the adjustable lights. “It can be very calming,” said Mrs. Vicki Bill, one of the special ed teachers.
Mrs. Tena Burgstaler, a paraprofessional for 10 years, thought the improvements were good. “It’s a work in progress,” she said. Burgstaler likes the classrooms, easier access to the busses, and the lighting. She believes that the windows should have curtains so there would be less distractions for the students in the classrooms. “It would be nice to have our own camaraderie.” said Tena. She thinks they should have a heating vent, because it’s very cold. She also thinks it’s great that all the classrooms together in one area improves the students learning and getting the help they need faster.
Mrs. Bill has been a special ed teacher in Aitkin for 15 years. “Students who have troubles with transportation can just go to one place across the hall,” she said. “It’s easier to use the same curriculums.” She likes the open area in the hall to relax and have a little space to work. All the classrooms now have projectors, which improves student learning. She thinks it’s all more organized, and can find things easier. “I think the students really like the new classroom and the adjustable lighting,” Mrs. Bill said
Melanie White was a class of 2018 graduate at Aitkin High School and this is her first year as a paraprofessional. She thinks that the new classrooms are very comfortable, have more homey colors, and don’t look old. She likes that there is a bigger counter space in the kitchen, because the students likes baking. “It’s nice to be away from the other outside classrooms so it’s not a distraction when others walk in the hallways,” she said.
Published March 21, 2019
Aitkin High School remodeled most of first and second floor. The school tore down most of second floor where the special ed department used to be and first floor where most of the math classrooms were. Now there are more classrooms for both floors. The three special ed teachers/paras thought it was great to have all the special ed classrooms together in one area so when one needs help and is at another room next door, the staff could more easily step in to help.
Teachers and paras also like that they have a private bathroom for special needs. They all agree that transportation is easier for the disabled kids to get on the bus where there's not a lot of students wandering around in the hallways. Another thing that the teachers and students really like is the adjustable lights. “It can be very calming,” said Mrs. Vicki Bill, one of the special ed teachers.
Mrs. Tena Burgstaler, a paraprofessional for 10 years, thought the improvements were good. “It’s a work in progress,” she said. Burgstaler likes the classrooms, easier access to the busses, and the lighting. She believes that the windows should have curtains so there would be less distractions for the students in the classrooms. “It would be nice to have our own camaraderie.” said Tena. She thinks they should have a heating vent, because it’s very cold. She also thinks it’s great that all the classrooms together in one area improves the students learning and getting the help they need faster.
Mrs. Bill has been a special ed teacher in Aitkin for 15 years. “Students who have troubles with transportation can just go to one place across the hall,” she said. “It’s easier to use the same curriculums.” She likes the open area in the hall to relax and have a little space to work. All the classrooms now have projectors, which improves student learning. She thinks it’s all more organized, and can find things easier. “I think the students really like the new classroom and the adjustable lighting,” Mrs. Bill said
Melanie White was a class of 2018 graduate at Aitkin High School and this is her first year as a paraprofessional. She thinks that the new classrooms are very comfortable, have more homey colors, and don’t look old. She likes that there is a bigger counter space in the kitchen, because the students likes baking. “It’s nice to be away from the other outside classrooms so it’s not a distraction when others walk in the hallways,” she said.