Sonali Sadarangani and Terri Whitchurch are seasoned special education teachers. They both left careers in public school two years ago, hoping to find a better quality of life, and the chance to make a difference. At The Forum School, they found both!

Sonali, who now teaches a self-contained class of K-3 at The Forum School, recalled the isolation and lack of support she felt teaching special education in a public school. “The supplies, lesson plans, curriculum, and teaching materials were all geared for general education. I had to make everything for my classroom. I had no support…classroom aides would come in late and leave early,” she recalls. When she started at The Forum School, the first thing she noticed was a new approach to teaching, and teachers. In public school, Sonali recalled seeing her supervisor only when she was being evaluated, but at Forum, the administration came to her classroom to identify what she needed, and to offer support.

“After one visit to The Forum School, I left very impressed by what I heard, felt, and saw. I witnessed a school dedicated to helping students with patience and unconditional acceptance. My student has significantly grown academically, emotionally, and socially. The Forum School has shown me what a true therapeutic educational environment should be like…”
– Leo O., Public School CST Case Manager

“I started the year with a closet full of resources that fit the learning needs of my students,” she said. “I love having administrators and peers in my class. I don’t have to wait to get help. Here, I can teach and my students have what they need. One student has started to talk in sentences -last year he would barely say a word,” she said.

Terri, who teaches in a self-contained classroom at the middle school level, also feels supported and is grateful to have colleagues who are resources.
“In our Professional Learning Community (PLC) group we brainstorm ideas and materials – in the public school, I was basically an island,” she said. “I had to fight to get what my students needed, and often, I didn’t get it.”

“We all work hard here, but we are a team. Asking for support and help is normal here – not seen as a negative. And we always make time to laugh together,” concluded Terri.