Spotlight on Special Education

Students/alumni praise BOCES programs at BOCES Opening Day

The 2009-10 Opening Day sessions held this summer, most recently on September 2 at Union College in Schenectady, featured two dynamic Special Education alumni students who spoke of their meaningful experiences within Capital Region BOCES programs.

On August 12, Anne Cushing talked to BOCES employees about her experiences in the division’s Life Employment Applications Program (LEAP) and at the BOCES Career and Technical School (CTE) in the food services program.

Cushing, who recounted some of the personal and academic obstacles she overcame during her high school years, expressed gratitude for her BOCES teachers and her learning experiences with them.

“Going to BOCES for the first time was a big breath of fresh air,” says Cushing. “Personally, I believe this is when my academics really started to climb.”

“For someone who is different like me, and for other kids, it is important to have teachers who understand what we need and how to motivate us toward that.” Cushing says that such a compassionate learning environment is exactly what she experienced at BOCES.

Cushing, who was once uncertain about whether she would graduate from high school, now attends Fonda-Montgomery Community College where she is studying the fine arts.

“I knew I wanted college success, both for myself and to prove to others that I could do it” says Cushing, who proudly reports that during her first two semesters she received straight A’s in her classes. She has also distinguished herself as a skilled artist whose paintings were selected for a recent student art exhibition at the college.

On September 2, Allen Howard, who graduated this spring from the Fundamental Specialized Instruction (FSI)/ College-based Transition Program at the College of St. Rose, spoke about how BOCES staff and programs helped him succeed in school and life.

“Thank you for the good times and wonderful experiences,” said Howard who added that BOCES “has been an open door of wonderful opportunities.”

Howard said his Special Education classes and teachers helped expanded his horizons and encourage him toward his current pursuits. He is currently employed at the YMCA in Troy, NY where he is helping coordinate a new after-school program for children and has begun training with the goal of trying out for the U.S. Paralympic’s ice hockey team.