Students at Foran High School say that Mrs. Courtney Pullins, a special education teacher, is more than an educator; she’s an advocate. Many say she is the kind of teacher students can turn to for guidance on assignments and a listening ear when they need to talk or get advice.
Pullins says, “A big focus of the learning center is self-advocacy, for students to find their voice and be able to share what’s best for them with other people.”
She explains that the learning center is for teachers to better understand their students. The learning center is for students who learn differently but strive to succeed.
Pullins has been teaching special education for 15 years, three of those years spent at Foran High School. Throughout her 15 years of teaching, she taught grades kindergarten through eighth. For the first 12 years, her focus was on students with disabilities, and now she teaches high school. “When I moved to Connecticut, I switched to high school, and I love it because I get the whole spectrum of all age ranges and abilities,” she says.
Pullins cares for students, not only in learning but also in a mental aspect. She goes above and beyond to ensure students are doing okay and always checks on kids who seem to be struggling.
Junior Ava Deicicchi says, “She advocates for me and isn’t just my teacher. She has given me a safe space to educate me but also helped me grow as a person and always put my mental health first.”
The learning center is a safe space for all students, and Pullins tries to change the mindset of what special education looks like in school.
Even though Pullins specifically works in special education, she is there for all students when they need an extra push to succeed. She is glad to help anyone prepare for college and their future.
Pullins states, “The big focus for high school is preparing all students to be ready for life after high school and to be successful within their communities.”
Pullins doesn’t just work as a special ed teacher, she also co-advises the Foran High mentoring program. This program is a special elective opportunity for seniors. Incoming seniors are nominated by Foran faculty and then matched with local elementary students to participate in virtual mentoring focused on creating community and fostering positive relationships.
Mrs. Dawn Morrissey is a paraprofessional who assists in Pullins’ classroom. She agrees that Pullins is the kind of teacher who makes a big difference in students’ lives by helping them prepare for their futures and understand how to advocate for themselves.
“These are just a few of the many reasons why Pullins is so special,” Morrissey says, “not only to her students but to the staff and students at Foran.”
