Skip to main content

Share

Image
Collection of 6 photos of students and poster board displays at the iHOPE Expo
iHOPE students and staff proudly showcase their presentations at the special education expo

Students and staff at iHOPE celebrated National Special Education Day last Friday by hosting an expo where each class had a booth that represented what special education looks like in their classroom.  

Whether it’s using interactive books, writing using alternative pencils, operating AAC devices to engage in learning, or applying dance, music, and assistive technology to enhance learning, students got a chance to showcase their unique skills. 

“The special education field reflects all the things iHOPE stands for – its mission and values, and delivering special education to our students aligns with who we are and sheds light on the value of what we are doing here,” said Tova Horowitz, Director of Education at iHOPE.  

The whole school participated in the expo and students from all grades had a chance to visit their peers’ booths in the school’s gymnasiums. Each class presented how their group learns differently using trifold poster boards. Some themes on display included “We Are Authors,” where students in the class chose to showcase their writing samples from the year alongside AAC devices they used to write the stories. Another one was the “More Than Meets the Eye” booth by students who are visually impaired. They used other senses to engage in learning, such as their sense of touch, and explored sensory bins, books, and switches.  

“It was really amazing to see it all come together since this was our first time hosting this expo,” said Lindsey Garland, Director of Education at iHOPE. “We walked in to see a room full of students and staff who were interested and interacting with different activities and it really does bring a tear to your eye to see the hard work being put into the presentations by everyone.”