News Photo by Reagan Voetberg: Larry Johns, a teacher at Pied Piper School in Alpena, gives a student a high five during class.
ALPENA — The Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona Educational Service District (AMA ESD) is working with a group called Opening the Pipeline of Talent into Michigan’s Special Education, or OPTIMISE. Together, they created videos that celebrate careers in special education.
The videos feature several dedicated staff members, including social worker Kaitlyn Rousseau, occupational therapist Jamie McClintic, and speech-language pathologist Kimberly Wesaw, alongside Larry Johns, a special education teacher at Pied Piper School.
Pied Piper School serves students aged 3 to 26 with various cognitive impairments and autism. It emphasizes hands-on learning and individualized support.
OPTIMISE was set up by the Michigan Legislature in 2021. Its mission is to help schools attract and keep special education professionals. They aim to identify problems that schools face when hiring for these crucial roles.
Major efforts include research on workloads and promoting special education careers, particularly to young students. VanderPloeg, a consultant at OPTIMISE, mentioned that their Snapchat account has been especially effective, generating nearly 10 million impressions in 2024.
The staff videos have also been popular, clocking over 1 million views this year. Through these stories, OPTIMISE hopes to show the positive effects of special education work on both students and teachers.
“We want to change how people think about being a special ed teacher,” said VanderPloeg.
Larry Johns shared his journey in the video series. His passion for special education shines through his storytelling. Previously, he worked as an early childhood special education consultant, helping children from birth to age 5. Now, he teaches at Pied Piper, making a direct impact on his students’ lives.
“Working with young children means touching on many parts of their development,” he explained. He finds it rewarding to help children develop their skills, from motor functions to social-emotional growth.
Johns transitioned from administrative roles back into teaching because he wanted to work more closely with students and their families. He enjoys building those personal connections.
In his classroom, known as “Mr. Larry,” he maintains a calm atmosphere. His students, who may have cognitive challenges, engage in lessons and work with various fidget tools to stay focused. On a recent day, he greeted one student with a high five, illustrating the supportive environment he fosters.
If you’re curious about special education careers or want to see the inspiring videos, check out the AMA ESD Facebook page or their Vimeo collection.
Reagan Voetberg can be reached at 989-358-5683 or rvoetberg@TheAlpenaNews.com.
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Local News,AMA ESD, OPTIMISE team up to create videos promoting special education occupations
