This spotlight is of Mary Saydah, a Special Education Teacher at Wyoming School. Mary is applying for The 2024 Kerry Magro Special Education Teacher, Therapist, and Aide Grant via the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference started by me, Kerry Magro. I was nonverbal till 2.5 and diagnosed with autism at 4, and you can read more about my organization here.
Laura Peters is a Senior Instructional Aide at Chrysalis, an autism program operated by the Santa Cruz County Office of Education. With nearly a decade of experience in special education, Laura is passionate about creating meaningful learning experiences for her students, all of whom are in grades 1-4 and receive support through the Chrysalis autism program. Through her dedication to personalized teaching, she has helped countless students unlock their potential, and she is now applying for the Kerry Magro Special Education Teacher, Therapist, and Aide Grant, which would provide resources to further enhance her students’ educational journey.
Laura’s approach to special education is grounded in the philosophy that every student learns in their own unique way. She believes that teaching the way students learn is essential for creating an inclusive and accessible environment. This means understanding how each child processes information, communicates, and interacts with the world. For Laura, effective instruction goes beyond traditional methods and embraces flexibility and creativity.
“Teaching the way students learn” is about meeting students where they are—adapting materials, approaches, and activities to ensure that each student can engage with the curriculum in a meaningful way. Laura’s classroom is a place where each child’s needs and interests are respected, and their learning experience is designed to engage all their senses. For some students, this means using hands-on, multi-sensory activities, while others may benefit from visual supports, technology, or adaptive tools.
For example, one student in Laura’s class had difficulty engaging with traditional goal work. Despite understanding the material, he found it challenging to stay focused during typical lessons. Recognizing that the student had a strong interest in technology, Laura took an innovative approach by creating interactive activities that aligned with his Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals, such as letter sounds, counting, and pattern recognition. Using Google Slides and Boom Cards, she designed lessons that included fun sounds, visuals, and animations that were triggered by the student’s responses. These interactive features not only captured his attention but also made the learning process feel celebratory and rewarding.
The results were nothing short of inspiring. The student was fully engaged, and as a result, Laura and the classroom staff were able to gather enough data to demonstrate that he was mastering his goals. The success of this student prompted Laura to share her methods with her colleagues, teaching them how to create similar activities. These interactive lessons became an integral part of their classroom curriculum, ensuring that each student could work at their own pace in an environment that was both stimulating and supportive.
This success story exemplifies Laura’s commitment to adapting her teaching methods to meet the unique needs of her students. It also highlights her ability to innovate and think outside the box, creating solutions that engage her students in ways that traditional methods might not. However, in a classroom with limited resources, it can be challenging to create such tailored materials on a regular basis. This is why the Kerry Magro Special Education Teacher, Therapist, and Aide Grant would be a game-changer for Laura and her students.
The grant would enable Laura to enhance the learning environment in her classroom by purchasing additional technology and interactive materials that support her students’ engagement and development. One of the exciting goals for the Chrysalis program is to eventually create a “Magic Room”—a sensory-rich smart space designed to engage all of the senses in a way that supports learning. With additional funding, Laura would be able to make significant strides toward this vision, ensuring that every student has access to tools that foster engagement and growth.
For Laura, teaching the way students learn goes beyond academics; it’s about forming strong relationships and understanding what motivates her students. She is deeply committed to ensuring that each child feels valued, capable, and confident in their learning. By investing time and effort into creating personalized and accessible learning experiences, Laura plays a crucial role in her students’ academic and personal success. Her dedication to tailoring instruction to meet the unique needs of every student is a testament to the profound impact that special educators can have on the lives of their students.
The Kerry Magro Special Education Teacher, Therapist, and Aide Grant would not only benefit Laura’s classroom but would also help foster an environment where every student is given the opportunity to thrive. Through innovative teaching practices, personalized support, and a strong commitment to inclusivity, Laura Peters is helping shape the future for her students—empowering them to grow, succeed, and feel confident in their own abilities.
Have Dr. Kerry Magro give a student assembly, staff development for your educators or a parent talk for your parents by contacting him here for more details.
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My name is Kerry Magro, a professional speaker and best-selling author who is also on the autism spectrum. I started the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference in 2011 to help students with autism receive scholarship aid to pursue post-secondary education. Help support me so I can continue to help students with autism go to college by making a tax-deductible donation to our nonprofit here.
