MOUNT VERNON – Erika Coogle and Robi Magabe know that learning disabilities and other special needs do not have to define a child’s educational success.
The two special education teachers at the Knox Educational Service Center Preschool have created Supporting Your Exceptional Child, a support group that can help parents chart the best educational outcome for their children with disabilities and other learning challenges.
Coogle and Magabe teach at the preschool on the New Hope Early Education Center campus on Mount Vernon’s east side.
Some 3-, 4- and 5-year-old preschool children have learning obstacles that include physical disabilities, autism, speech disorders or attention issues. After evaluation by a team at the preschool, an individualized education program (IEP) is developed to address each child’s specific needs.
“Some parents may feel frustrated in their efforts to do what is best for their learning-challenged child,” Coogle said. “We want them to know that they are not alone. Others are facing the same issues. We hope this group will help families feel informed and empowered to advocate for their child.”
Robi emphasized the need for Supporting Your Exceptional Child, which will include twice-monthly meetings in September through April, except for December and January.
“Knox County doesn’t have a group like this, a place where parents of special needs students can come together for support and to learn all that can be done to help their children,” Robi said.
Information about the program will be sent home with preschool children. Two meetings will be scheduled each month on Tuesdays or Thursdays. The survey asks parents which day they prefer and which times – 12:30 to 2 p.m. or 6 to 7:30 p.m.
“When we get the survey results, we will schedule the September meetings,” Coogle said. “In addition to set topics, we will bring in outside professionals to talk with parents about strategies to benefit their children.”
Scheduled topics include:
– September: Evaluation team report (ETR) and individualized education program (IEP) prep.
– October: Parent-teacher conferences prep and Department of Developmental Disabilities (DD).
– November: Holiday prep and Community Resources Fair.
– February: Build your own resources.
– March: Transition meeting prep and ETR and IEP review.
– April: Summer and kindergarten prep.
In addition to New Hope, Knox ESC Preschool has classes at Centerburg, East Knox and Fredericktown. Special education teachers serve students at all locations, as well as at private preschools throughout the county.
For more information, call the preschool main office at 740-393-6980.
