The Department of Special Services at Lincoln County School District #2 serves students throughout the district who need extra support in acquiring a quality education and preparing for a fulfilling life as adults.

“In special education, it is the quality, professionalism and passion of our staff that contribute to providing a range of educational, social, and civic experiences for our students with disabilities,” said Nathan Wescott, who serves as Special Services Director with LCSD#2. “The range of professional staff we have currently serving our students [is a district strength]. That range includes special education teachers, adaptive physical education teachers, speech-language pathologists, teachers of the deaf, occupational and physical therapists, school psychologists, behavior specialists, school nurses, counselors, paraprofessionals, transportation, and more. They support our students with disabilities throughout their learning progression, from kindergarten through graduation or aging out.”

LCSD#2 Special Education staff members continually pursue their own education, with several certified teachers having initially joined the district as paraprofessionals. Staff members regularly invest in additional certification and training, both in classrooms and online, as they work to increase knowledge and skills that offer value to students in the special education classrooms.  Administrators consistently bring national presenters to the district for quality staff training.

Wescott reminds families that parents and guardians are “essential partners” in giving these students the best experience possible as they explore education and acquire life skills.  Any family that believes their student may have a disability is invited to contact that student’s teacher, principal or another trusted educator in the building or district to discuss identifying their child’s needs, determining eligibility, and creating a plan for intervention. All services are prepared and implemented with “parent knowledge and consent, and your involvement is crucial to your child’s success.”

“Our staff takes pride in supporting the continuous growth and the degrees of independence unique to each of our students as they travel along their educational path, whether that student is working toward a diploma or building the skills for a more independent life,” said Wescott. “As a school district, we are grateful for our staff and how they choose to show up each day to welcome your children and engage them in meaningful learning through acquiring knowledge and applying skills.”