Partners: Spring View Middle School

Community building takes place through quarterly planned activities. In September, Titan Academy students participated in collaborative activities to promote diverse student interactions and community. All Titan Academy teachers participate in the planning and implementation of these activities. Parent involvement is critical to ensure the development of community building. Active recruiting during Back To School Night resulted in two general and special education parents agreeing to participate in the continued development of Titan Academy's goals for the 2008-2009 year. Quarterly, the core curriculum teachers and ILS/SDC teachers switch academic classrooms. Through this exchange, the core curriculum teachers and SDC/ILS teachers academically instruct all students for a day building a stronger community of learners for Spring View Middle School. At the same time, every student in the academy participates in a disability awareness activity with the ILS teacher.

At Spring View Middle School, the immediate results of collaboration and inclusion are evident. Students from the SDC and ILS programs interact with general education students at lunch and at breaks. More formally, Titan Academy students volunteer weekly to be lunch and reading buddies with students in the ILS program. In both core and elective classes, natural supports developed for special education students without adult facilitation. General education students partner with special education students in art, chorus, video production, band, manufacturing technology, and physical education. For the second year, a formal mentoring program for ILS students has been expanded to include the wider student body. Through the ''Yes I Can'' Peer Mentor Program (University of Minnesota), students with and without disabilities further minimize barriers and increase opportunities for community building.