The Special Education Assistance GOAL program was recognized in May with an “Excellence in Special Education” award.
Laurel Nitzel, a senior and coordinator for the program, said she was excited for the program to receive the award.
“As a leader, I do my best to serve the community,” she said, “but it’s nice to have tangible feedback.”
The Special Education Assistance program lets students volunteer in special education classrooms in local schools. Nitzel coordinates with the schools to identify their needs.
Between 14 and 25 students volunteer with the program at a time, working in Greenfield School, Hillsdale High School, and Williams Elementary School.
“It takes a lot of planning and a lot of dedication,” said Cynthia Magda, a special education teacher at Greenfield. “They came back regularly and were able to establish a relationship with the students. I’m looking forward to working with them again.”
The Hillsdale County Parent Advisory Committee gives out three awards for excellence in special education. The committee is comprised of parents who have students in the special education system.
“They made such an impact and we wanted to recognize them for that,” said Jessica Bigelow, secretary for the parent advisory committee.
The program was specifically recognized for their good communication with teachers, ability to foster community with students in the classroom, and their dedicated volunteers, according to Nitzel.
One such dedicated volunteer was sophomore Katie Dimmer, who has volunteered with the program since her freshman year. She said the award didn’t come as a surprise to her.
“I love that Laurel tried to credit the volunteers,” Dimmer said, “but so much credit goes back to her.”
Dimmer has volunteered in special education since elementary school and said it has “never been a question of if I’m going to, but how.”
And although Dimmer said she plans to volunteer with the program until she graduates, not every volunteer does.
“The biggest challenge is to get volunteers and keep them consistent,” Nitzel said.
Still, Nitzel hopes to expand the program. A Spanish major, she recently began tutoring special-needs students in Spanish and said she wants to get more Spanish tutors, as well as other volunteers.
“I’m hoping [this award] will be an inspiration to future volunteers,” Nitzel said.
To get involved with the Special Education Assistance GOAL Program, contact Laurel Nitzel at lnitzel@hillsdale.edu or 402-705-3660.
