Special Needs Partners Program
The partners are making a design using pencil, white paint and pastels.
This program provides
access to the general
education setting for
students with the most
significant disabilities in a
positive way.
~ Lesa Shocklee
MISD Executive Director
of Special Education.
MANSFIELD ISD | Mansfield
ISD students are helping their
classmates who have special
needs through the District Partners
Program which gives special needs
students a general education
companion for their art or P.E.
elective class. MISD’s executive
director of special education, Lesa
Shocklee, said the focus of the
program is to offer an interactive
and inclusive environment.
“This program provides access
to the general education setting for
students with the most significant
disabilities in a positive way,”
Shocklee explained. “It’s also a great
experience for the non-disabled
students because it allows them an
opportunity to mentor and partner
with students.”
The Partners Program was
implemented in MISD more than 10
years ago. Although it helps special
needs students engage in the
different art and physical activities,
many participants find themselves
bonding with their partner as well.
“The partnerships, the
friendships, last a lifetime really,” said
Shane Skinner, Legacy High School
art teacher. “I have some college
students now who were in the
program for a few years. They have
actually come back. And every year,
we share a little meal, and they hang
out with the kids because they form
these relationships with these kids.”
Sierra Skidmore, a junior at
Legacy High School, has been a
partner for two years. She believes
that this program has helped her
become a better person.
“You really learn who you are
and who they are by talking to
them and learning from them. You
become more open minded,” she
said.
The Partners Program class
counts as one elective credit and is
usually run by the general education
students. Each six weeks, the general
education students switch partners.
“It’s really fun from the beginning
of the semester to see the growth
of some of the students and also for
my general education students—
to see the excitement as they’ve
helped the student and see them
grow, even in something as simple
as touching their toes,” said Lacy
Beckler, head track coach at Legacy
High.
The classes meet throughout the
week. Beckler noted that most of
the students who become partners
go on to pursue a career helping
people with special needs.
www.mansfieldisd.org | 15