Particular Schooling College students – ABC23
Learning through the COVID-19 era has been challenging for most students, but especially for students in special education programs.
Anthony Penna, a junior at Greater Johnstown High School, said he was glad to be back in the classroom five days a week.
“I am happy to be here. I prefer to be here with my friends and personally.”
Since the pandemic started, Anthony has switched between in-person, hybrid, and online learning.
“It was different because it was only spoken to a screen,” he continued.
Diagnosed with autism at the age of three, Anthony is highly functional and routine.
This is the main disorder, said his mother, Danielle Penna, that the pandemic has caused students with special needs.
“He likes to do things Monday through Friday and certain things on certain days. When you take that away, it’s hard for them to adapt and even hard to understand, ”she told 6 News.
Anthony also missed out on music, bocce, esports, game clubs, and extracurricular activities, which Danielle said are required to maintain his social skills.
“Getting up and going to school in the living room or dining room is not normal for him. He likes to come here, ”she said.
The resumption of these activities was one of the main draws for Anthony to return to school.
“He was thrilled when it was back to normal this year. He says I’m wearing a mask, I’ll do whatever I have to do while we can be there, ”Danielle said.
But it’s the ongoing relationship with his teachers that is hardest to miss.
Mrs. Buzzard, a special education teacher at Greater Johnstown High School, said she missed her students in return.
“Having Anthony is an absolute pleasure,” she said.
“I have it for three, sometimes four years in a row, five or six periods a day. We’re really developing a relationship. We are like a small family here. “
This applies to students in special needs education across the country.
In 2019-2020, the number of students (ages 3-21) receiving special needs education was 7.3 million, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
That is 14 percent of all students in public schools.
“Many students with special needs need a lot of cooperation. Being personal again has really helped these hands-on experiences these children have, ”said Mrs. Buzzard.
Instead of looking at the living room wall, the students are now looking at a blackboard again with their friends by their side.
“I’ve seen a lot of children who really tried harder this year than in previous years. I think they’re all just excited to be back in person and with each other, ”she said.
The community’s appreciation for special education teachers is greater than ever.
“They just love these kids. Many people thought the teachers had a break during this time, I feel like they worked ten times harder. I just appreciate everything they do for these guys. “
