About Us

Elaine Clark and Joseph Schmitz founded Special Focus in 2002. They have worked with teachers and administrators in Northern California to develop a cross-curriculum program aligned with state standards and easily adaptable for special education.

Special Focus is chartered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-deductible organization.

The Buzz

Here's just some of what people are saying about Special Focus:

"Students had success written all over their faces. One girl, in particular who had speech and language issues and was receiving some pretty intensive speech therapy had a complete transformation! To see her up in front of everyone using her language and speech with confidence was very gratifying... beyond words."
—Jean C. Robertson
Principal, Grattan Elementary School
San Francisco, CA
"Improv was a gift from heaven...it gave each student an opportunity to shine in their own way! This did so much to raise their status on campus and boost their self-esteem! My students actually taught other classes the games they learned."

—Terrilyn Haggins-Bassett
Special Education Teacher
Madison Elementary School
San Lorenzo, CA
"The students at our school really blossomed in the Special Focus program. Children whom I thought would not participate or become a behavioral problem actually benefited the most! Our autistic student population gained skills and their overall participation was remarkable."
—Cindy Keller
Executive Director
Guiding Hands School
El Dorado Hills, CA