Dear Graduates(Nebi and Jennifer), families and friends of our graduates, Stephen Knolls students and staff, our current and former coordinators, Tina Shrewsbury and Lou Berlin, and distinguished guests from Montgomery County Public Schools and the Board of Education,
I stand before you today humbled by the great honor of addressing this esteemed and beautifully diverse assemblage.
In the next few minutes, I will try to put into words several profound lessons I learned as a special needs parent since our daughter, Shoshi, blessed us in 1990, and how deeply fortunate our family has been to be a part of the remarkable Stephen Knolls community for the past 12 years.
So, let me begin with a White House story. Two weeks ago, I was delighted to accompany the Stephen Knolls Senior High Department on their class trip to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, as they experienced the excitement of visiting the most famous address in the United States. No, even with Donna Moore’s meticulous planning, we did not get to see the President, but I understand that some of our students were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Mrs. Obama and the newest 4-legged member of the First Family.
As we were in line on the tour of the East Room, a middle-school student on his class trip from North Carolina looked at our formation of 15 students in wheelchairs, turned to me, and asked where we were all from. I responded, “From Silver Spring, Maryland, just over the DC line.” I was preparing myself for one of many follow-up questions or comments related to traveling with a disabled population, but instead he just said, “Wow- you’re all so lucky to be so close – we had to travel many hours to get here, and I’m exhausted.”
Later on in the day, I marveled at the underlying importance of his comment, for it demonstrated how this young man paid more attention to his common bond with our students – that is, that they both had to travel to the White House- than the obvious physical difference between them. What a triumph for special education!
My initiation into the field of special education began in my native city of Buffalo, New York, where I received a degree in this profession in 1979. Little did I know that this was only the beginning of a soon-to-be 24/7 vocation.
When our daughter, Shoshi, was preparing to enter kindergarten in 1995, my husband and I worked very hard to arrange placement in our home school, Forest Knolls. We were convinced that her educational needs could best be met by being included with her non-disabled peers. The first 3 years had many ups and downs, but primarily was a very successful experience for Shoshi and her classmates.
However, serious medical difficulties associated with Rett Syndrome set in by 2nd grade, and we began to re-evaluate the wisdom of this placement. We visited Stephen Knolls, and despite our philosophical commitment to an inclusion model, we decided to give it a try. Our daughter’s needs had changed, and so, we had to adjust our sails.
Day by day, we began to appreciate the great benefits that Stephen Knolls could offer our daughter, but most importantly, we felt as if we had a true partner in meeting the daily challenges of raising a severely disabled child. I must stop here to acknowledge the most remarkably caring, talented, and devoted professional staff I have ever met. Will the Stephen Knolls staff please rise….
A good teaching program begins with a secure, emotional environment which contributes to a student’s potential for learning. When our students feel safe, they are reachable and teachable. The Stephen Knolls program provides all of this while at the same time creatively adapting general education material to provide appropriate access to academics. The multitude of community experiences, like the White House trip, affords opportunities to work on social and academic skills, while giving the students a sense of community belonging. And all of this is accomplished while at the same time addressing the complex needs of the most medically fragile population of students in Montgomery County. This is nothing short of a miracle.
The superb staff at Stephen Knolls works hard to create an inter-disciplinary program to help each student reach his or her highest potential. Please join me in applauding the heroic achievements of Nebi and Jennifer during their tenure at Stephen Knolls school.
Education is not a one size fits all program, and I commend Montgomery County Public Schools for ensuring that a continuum of services be always available. Simply put, Stephen Knolls is one of the county’s greatest treasures.
Albert Einstein, one of the world’s brightest individuals, once said, “Strive not to be a success, but to be of value.”
The student body, and specifically this year’s graduates of Stephen Knolls School have the ability to teach us great lessons in caring, respect, patience, and tolerance. They are the finest ambassadors of unconditional love and remind us that milestones are not as important as “smilestones.”
Oftentimes, without uttering a single word, they inspire us to be the best that we can be, to be grateful for life’s gifts, and not to take anything for granted. These are important qualities that our citizens and leaders need to build a just and compassionate society.
Indeed, through their very being, the Stephen Knolls student body exemplifies the finest qualities that help make our ever-changing world a better place for everyone. I can’t think of a more valuable contribution to society.
As we go forth from this very special celebration, let us each take the time to offer our heartfelt best wishes to the graduates and their courageous and inspiring families.
It is said that “the road to a friend’s house is never long.”
Nebi and Jennifer, come back often to visit your friends at Stephen Knolls who are so proud of you today. Come join us for next year’s Prom, the Annual Community Fair, and other special school events. Spend time in our beautiful garden and greenhouse whose plants you tended with your own green thumbs over the years.
May you be blessed as you continue your important work of making this world a better place for everyone.
Congratulations!!