What does Student Support at MMS look like?
All students at Mesa are IB students. Every student spends the majority of their time in IB general education classrooms. At the same time, Mesa offers support in multiple areas including: academic, behavioral, mental health, social/emotional, and speech.
Depending on the needs of the student, there are various levels of service provided. Some of these include:
MTSS/RTI - specific, targeted interventions for students who struggle to meet academic or behavior expectations
504 Plan - legal accommodations for students who have a disability that "substantially limits" their ability to learn and impacts daily functions
IEP - legal, Individualized Education Plan for students with a learning disability who require accommodations and/or modifications to access the general education curriculum
Consult services
Team-taught classes (two teachers) in core classes - typically math and Language Arts
Small, pull-out classes in math and Language Arts (differentiated curriculum)
Students who have IEP's are able to access assistance from Learning Specialists during ME Time for more direct help. In addition, Learning Specialists work with the general education teachers to ensure that IEP accommodations are in place for classroom activities, projects, and assessments. Specialists also work with the entire staff to assure that our culture is inclusive, positive, and all students have many opportunities for success.
In order for students to receive services such as a 504 or an IEP, they must complete an initial eligibility process. If they qualify, they will be assigned a case manager.
Educational Assistants:
Joni Blayter
Kimberly Wills Leah Earnest Stefanie Holmes
Sharie Heth
Victor Dominguez
Cyndi Zerlin
Jodie Malito
Jessica Walesa Courtney Stahl Stephanie Southerlin
Mental Health:
Angela Hollis -- School Psychologist
Sara Odom -- School Social Worker Hannah Karcher - School Psychologist
Morgan Price - Speech Language Pathologist
MMS Counseling Dept.
Itinerant Support - district people serving multiple schools:
Linda Niemann - Middle School Special Education Coordinator
Kelsey Stappert - Autism Specialist
Meagan Korell - School Nurse
Deaf & Hard of Hearing - Trina LovatoQuattlebaum
Amy Antes - Occupational Therapy
Julie Antol - SWAAAC
Mesa Resources:
Parent Rights
Derechos de los Padres
Parent Questionnaire
DCSD Special Ed Advisory
DCSD IEP Brochure
DCSD Flow of Communication
DC Parenting Coalition
General Special Education Resources for Parents:
DCSD Sped Page
CDE Sped Page
Parent Q & A - general process
National Association of of Parents with Children in Special Education
National PTA Special Education Toolkit