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Special Education

Welcome from our special education team! Our team provides tailored educational support and services to students with disabilities or special needs from birth to age 22. The overall goal is to ensure that all students, regardless of their abilities or challenges, have access to a quality education that meets their individual needs. Our special education team aims to promote equal opportunities, inclusion, and academic success for students with disabilities.

Key objectives of our WM special education department include:

Individualized Instruction: Special education programs are designed to address the unique learning styles, strengths, and challenges of each student with a disability. This often involves developing and implementing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to outline specific goals, accommodations, and support services.

Inclusion: Special education strives to promote the inclusion of students with disabilities in regular education settings to the greatest extent possible. Inclusion involves creating an environment where students with disabilities can participate in academic, social, and extracurricular activities alongside their peers without disabilities.

Early Intervention: Identifying and addressing learning or developmental challenges early is a key aspect of special education. Early intervention services aim to provide support to children with disabilities at an early age to enhance their developmental outcomes and prevent potential academic and social difficulties.

Equal Access to Education: Special education ensures that students with disabilities have equal access to educational opportunities. This includes providing accommodations such as assistive technology, specialized instruction, and modifications to the curriculum to meet the unique needs of each student.

Transition Planning: Special education also focuses on preparing students with disabilities for life beyond school. Transition planning helps students develop skills and strategies to transition from school to post-school activities such as higher education, employment, and independent living.

Collaboration with Families: Special education emphasizes collaboration between educators and families. Involving parents and guardians in the educational process helps create a supportive network for students with disabilities and ensures continuity of care and support.

Overall, the purpose of Watertown-Mayer special education is to foster an inclusive and supportive educational environment that empowers students with disabilities to reach their full potential and become active, engaged members of society. In addition, our special education  team has a dedicated commitment to students and families, as well as a sense of community within our department. 

Please reach out to our team, should you have any questions or need additional information and we would be happy to assist you. 

Special Education Resources

Staff

Rande Peyton

Rande Peyton
Director of Special Education
rande.peyton@wm.k12.mn.us
952-955-0207

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Kelly Stauffer

Kelly Stauffer
Special Education/
Due Process Secretary
kstauffer@wm.k12.mn.us
952-955-0204