The Special Education Department at Emory H. Markle Middle School strives to maintain an active partnership with all school personnel, students, and the community. Students with a variety of special needs including learning difficulties, physical challenges, emotional difficulties, and giftedness are served through special education services located at EHMIS. The special education team works diligently with the diverse learning needs of every student and supports the students as they participate in the South Western middle school experience.
The department strives to provide every student a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment. Students are provided as many opportunities as possible to be integrated in the regular classroom with their peers. The administration and staff is dedicated to individualizing each child's educational program to best meet their needs, allowing them to reach their greatest learning potential.
The department works hard to provide an educational foundation that enables students to have the ability to think, communicate, create, and apply their learning experiences throughout their lifetime. The vision of Special Education at EHMIS is to enable and empower our students with special needs to develop to their maximum potential in school, the community and in life after high school.
The Learning Support staff consists of nine learning support educators, one emotional support educator, one gifted educator, one alternative education instructor (STEEDS), 12 para-educators, and a professional care assistant. Mr. Jeffrey Smale, principal, is the department administrator.