Senior Molly Robledo has always loved helping children who need extra support. Her passion for this began all the way back in third grade when she had classmates with disabilities. She loved getting to know their strengths, as well as their challenges, and helping them whenever she could. A few days a week, she would even go with her teacher into other classrooms at Gretna Middle School to work with students there.
Since her freshman year, Robledo has spent every single day volunteering in the GHS ACC room, helping and working closely with students who have special needs.
Last May, she had the idea to expand her experience even further. Since she knew a teacher who used to work at GHS and now teaches at Gretna East, Robledo thought it could be a great opportunity. Gretna East has more students, and, according to Robledo, is open to new ideas. She also said she wanted to see a different teacher’s approach, after spending so many years observing the same teaching style at GHS.
After a long wait, she finally got the green light at the beginning of this school year.
“It was a long process,” Robledo said. “Our principal and counselor, along with the ones from Gretna East, had to approve it before I could do it.”
Her main goal in this program is to learn. She said she wants to gain the knowledge and experience to become a great special education teacher one day – a dream she’s had since day one.
While she will need to take college classes, Robledo said she knows that experience and hands-on learning are just as important, if not more important, than formal education in this field. Thankfully, by the time Robledo enters the profession, she will already have a strong foundation thanks to her years of volunteering.
Robledo doesn’t get paid for her work; it’s all volunteer-based. But this year, she does have a work release during seventh and eighth periods, which allows her to spend two hours every day at Gretna East helping.
“A good special education teacher should demonstrate patience, flexibility, empathy, and kindness,” wrote Zachary Orton in an email. Orton is the special education teacher Robledo works with at GEHS. He had taught at GHS Robledo’s sophomore year. “Molly has exceeded all expectations—she consistently shows initiative, enthusiasm, and a genuine desire to support every student.”
The learning program at Gretna East is tailored to the individual needs and abilities of each student. Every student has their own folder with a schedule and activities suited to them.
Robledo primarily works with “work boxes,” which include a variety of functional tasks students can complete. She also goes on walks with the students and spends time in the outdoor classroom, a unique feature at Gretna East.
Students there also learn about Braille and how to use it. And, of course, no day would be complete without play and snack time.
Robeldo said she believes this program is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in pursuing a career in special education or a similar field. Orton wrote that he believes Robledo’s future working with students with disabilities is bright.
“Molly has been working with students in the ACC room since third grade, and it comes naturally to her,” he wrote. “She has a true passion for supporting students with special needs and plans to attend college to major in special education. I believe she would make a fantastic teacher!”
