Los Alamos Reporter

LAPS Staff Participate In Inclusive Practices Training

Public Con sulting Group (PCG) representatives Rob Frantum-Allen and Tamara Hall facilitated the Inclusive Practices training for LAPS staff. Photo Courtesy LAPS

Los Alamos High School teachers Alaina Agnew, left, and Tianmei Seet participated in the Inclusive Practices training. Photo Courtesy LAPS

Barranca Mesa Elementary School teacher Secilli Keeler said, ‘It was amazing to be a part of a professional development that brings true inclusive practices to the forefront of every educator at LAPS’. Photo Courtesy LAPS

LAPS NEWS RELEASE

Twenty-seven Los Alamos Public Schools teachers, principals, instructional coaches and special education staff from across the district recently participated in Inclusive Practices training aimed at fostering inclusion in schools to support students with disabilities. geared towards helping school teams create inclusive environments for all students.

A partnership between Public Consulting Group (PCG) and the New Mexico Public Education Department’s office of Special Education (PED-OSE), this initiative aims to provide staff with strategies, tools, and actionable insights to help school inclusion teams create inclusive environments that benefit every student.

PCG representatives Tamara Hall and Rob Frantum-Allen facilitated the first two sessions last month, where participants learned about setting the stage for inclusive practices and creating a plan for inclusive practices. The final training session, focusing on sustaining inclusive practices, will be scheduled later this spring.

“The district has been implementing inclusion support for students with disabilities for the past 30 years,” noted LAPS Coordinator of Student Services Karla Crane. “Inclusive programming ensures that students with disabilities receive high-quality instruction alongside their peers while developing the academic, social, and communication skills identified in their IEP goals.”

She added, “When inclusion is done well, all students benefit from stronger collaboration, higher expectations, and a supportive learning environment. LAPS teachers participating in this project are excited to improve their inclusive practices to benefit all students.”

“It was amazing to be a part of a professional development that brings true inclusive practices to the forefront of every educator at LAPS,” said Secilli Keeler, a Special Education teacher at Barranca Mesa Elementary School. “This is a great step in equalizing education for all students and families that we serve but especially those who need the most support.”

Other comments from participants included:

  • “Planning time with my team was extremely beneficial:”
  • “Real live examples would help us see how inclusive models look in practice.”
  • “The action steps and guidelines made the work feel less intimidating.”
  • “Critical questioning from the presenter opened my eyes to what we are doing well with
    inclusion already”.
  • “I loved the layout of Action Steps—it made creating change feel less intimidating.”

“The teachers in our district have been working on co-teaching for a while now and have been doing a great job,” said Renee Dunwoody, Assistant Coordinator of Student Services. “The district recognizes the effort that they have put towards making our classrooms a positive learning environment for all students. We were hoping that this training would provide both resources and valuable time for collaboration and planning to set the teachers up for continued success as co-teaching partners.”

LAPS also has monthly community of practice meetings with the other participants in the state, including Hatch Valley Public Schools and Rio Rancho Public Schools. LAPS will host the second session in the Inclusive Practices training series at the end of February.