Details
For more information about Special Focus, check out these links:
The Big Picture
Our brochure: Offering Special Education students and teachers a new path to learning through improvisation and drama.
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Benefits
How Special Focus serves students, teachers and the community. Read more »
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The Buzz
What people are saying about Special Focus:
"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
—Terrilyn Haggins-Bassett
Special Education Teacher
Madison Elementary School
San Lorenzo, CA
"The intermediate Critical
Life Skills Class has had the
privilege of working with a
group of actors called Special
Focus for the last three years.
They have expanded and
developed the program so
that it is aligned with the
California State Standards,
enhancing social and
Language skills, as well
as building the students'
self-confidence."
—Linda Binnall Smith
Special Education Teacher
Kitayama Elementary School
Union City, CA
—Linda Binnall Smith
Special Education Teacher
Kitayama Elementary School
Union City, CA
"The students at our school
really blossomed under 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
—Cindy Keller
Executive Director
Guiding Hands School
El Dorado Hills, CA
"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
—Jean C. Robertson
Principal
Grattan Elementary School
San Francisco, CA
"My students consist of ED,
autistic and MR disabilities.
The Name Game and Sound
Ball are useful activities that
I have incorporated to help
my students get refocused
after a transition in class.
They require the children to
listen, follow directions, and
take turns."
—Cheryle Givelhieu
3rd Grade Special Education Teacher
Guiding Hands School
El Dorado Hills, CA
—Cheryle Givelhieu
3rd Grade Special Education Teacher
Guiding Hands School
El Dorado Hills, CA
