WEBVTT

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[MUSIC PLAYING]

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Seth is pretty creative
and a fun, loving kid.

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He is really observant.

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He is so curious.

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He's always asking to
know more about things.

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And then as soon as
he knows something,

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he wants to go tell
everybody what he knows

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Seth was born with
Down's syndrome,

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and he has some pretty
significant needs.

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Our biggest struggle is
wanting to be understood,

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and wanting to be heard, and
wanting to be able to share,

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and doing that in a really
good way and safe way.

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What I wanted was for
him to be able to learn

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alongside friends.

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I wanted him to have genuine,
authentic friendships

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and be able to really
grow alongside peers.

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I want him to be an active
part of his community,

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to have access to
education equally.

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And here at McMicken,
they've really

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created a culture of
belonging that includes

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all students, including students
with disabilities like my Seth.

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Every student is welcome
in every classroom.

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Every student participates
in all activities.

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All students receive the
support they need so that they

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can stay and remain in class.

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Every single one of our students
has a different level of need,

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but they all have needs.

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And I don't think one
student takes away

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from another student.

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Sometimes more students
require more time at that time.

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But I feel that
all of my students

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get what they need
based on who they are.

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So while Seth may need more
support or attention in one

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area, he's not the only one.

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It takes time, it
takes teamwork,

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and it takes patience.

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But it works, and students
will grow and develop

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when they have the tools
and supports they need.

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I'm just excited to see
where he will go from here.

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Watching him develop from
kindergarten till now

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and seeing how far he's
come, world, watch out.

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Are you ready for Seth?

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Because he's coming.

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[MUSIC PLAYING]

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