MAKING LAS VEGAS A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE

Action News salutes special education teachers

By Beth Fisher

CREATED Jan. 23, 2013

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  • Teachers that work with special-ed students in the Las Vegas valley are making Las Vegas a better place to live. Video by ktnv.com

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Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- Every day, hundreds of you will head out the door to work with our students. And every day, we appreciate you. But one group of teachers probably doesn't hear it enough. these are the teachers who work specifically with special education students.

We decided to surprise Maria Botlz and her special ed class at Spring Valley High school after she sent us a very heartfelt letter about her students.  In it, she described Kelsy, the class leader; Playful Morgan; and Patient Plamen, who is learning to communicate with a computer. We wanted to meet these students and their special ed teachers who care deeply for each and every one of them.
 
Action News Anchor Beth Fisher told Maria, "The thing that impressed me about your letter is that it was so personal. You really love each and every one of your students."
 
Maria told us she never wanted to do anything else. She and Miss Renee assist in Mr. Redmond's class. They are a team determined to give these students a fighting chance.
 
Teacher Lenbirgh Redmond says, "No matter what, our job is to make sure they transition into an adult life just like everyone else. They are going to be faced with more social challenges than academic challenges."
 
So they teach them but they also give them plenty of opportunities to socialize with each other and their typical peers. But most of all, they value each student.  They really believe they can live full, independent lives. And because of that, these students believe it too.
 
DiAngelo told us, "I want to be a journalist. Because I know about the weather."  And when we asked for his forecast?  "Its cold outside."