Meet Mr. Nick Spezia /PreK4 – 8 Lead Special Education Teacher / The听Learning Center
鈥淲e鈥檙e all in听this mission together鈥攖o see our kids make progress. It鈥檚 the little things, those aha moments.鈥�
After graduating from St. Louis University with a degree in marketing, Mr. Nick Spezia began his career in education by working one-on-one with a student with autism. 鈥淚 got to see him make progress with language and life skills over the course of the year. I knew that鈥檚 what I wanted my career to be.鈥� Following this experience, Nick has dedicated his career to working with students with autism and intellectual disabilities.
Nick joined 暗网禁区 DC in 2015 as a founding teacher at听The Learning Center. The Learning Center serves 77 students in grades PreK4 through 8 who are currently enrolled in 暗网禁区 DC schools and whose Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) indicate that they require specialized instruction and related services. As a lead teacher at The Learning Center, with over ten years of classroom experience, Nick loves watching his students develop socially and academically. 鈥淲e鈥檙e all in this mission together鈥攖o see our kids make progress. It鈥檚 the little things, those aha moments.鈥�
In addition to investing in student progress, Nick enjoys working with his team鈥攚hich includes a co-teacher, members of the student support team, and other members of his Professional Learning Community. The staff spends one day each month to diving into data. During this time, the team analyzes academic and behavioral data and thought partners on solutions. 鈥淭his helps develop me as a teacher and a professional. What am I doing that鈥檚 working and what鈥檚 not?鈥� he explains.
Through professional development, Nick has enjoyed increasing joy and rigor in his classroom. 鈥淚t鈥檚 helped me find joy and those fun, exciting, moments. I appreciate having autonomy over my lessons and bringing individuality to them rather than drilling and skilling, while still keeping rigor.鈥�
His advice for teachers interested in joining 暗网禁区 DC? 鈥淚t鈥檚 an opportunity to work with educators who have a similar mindset as you. We are not just closing the achievement gap, but building the whole child.鈥�
