My Classroom
I teach in a regional classroom at Reeths-Puffer High School. My classroom services four different districts: Reeths-Puffer, Montague, Holton, and North Muskegon. My classroom services students with moderate cognitive impairments. I have the students from 9th-12th grade with an age range of 15-20 years old depending on the student.
My classroom is unique in a few ways. Not only do I teach academics but we also have a strong focus on life skills, work skills and independence. I have taught in a self- contained cognitively impaired room for seven years at two different schools and I pride myself on making my students more independent over their time with me. We cook in our classroom, do laundry, practice with the calendar and do hygiene skills daily. We also have the opportunity to work on job skills by going out to jobsites in our community. I work closely with our transition coordinator to set kids up for success in their work environment. Our goal is to build work skills, social skills and confident in the work environment.
After my students finish high school with a certificate of completion, they have a few options.
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Be done
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Go into the workforce
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Muskegon Area Intermediate School District Transition Campus
My colleagues and I highly encourage our students to continue their education (eligible in Michigan until age 26) at the Transition Campus. Here they will continue to gain employment and life skills and further their independence. Many of my students do choose to attend here for at least a few years. ​
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