Castle Dome Middle School teacher fighting for inclusivity

On Thursday, President Trump vowed to keep funding the Special Olympics after Education Secretary Betsy DeVos proposed to eliminate all federal funding for the Special Olympics.

But again, the White House said that will not happen.

The idea didn’t sit well with the Democrats and definitely not with those who support the Special Olympics.

However, that proposal could have directly affected programs right here in the Yuma community.

Castle Dome Middle School teacher, Jarrod Norris, implements Special Olympics programs into his classroom to unify all the students at the school.

His own son, Judah, was born with Down Syndrome. Since day one, he was ready to take on the challenge.

Since 2013, Norris has been involved with the Special Olympics. He came in as a basketball coach and has even lobbied in Washington for Unified Programs.

Unified Programs pair students with intellectual disabilities with their general education peers to provide all students with an environment to learn together, play together, and form friendships.

Programs like this are funded through the Special Olympics and supported by volunteers.

Norris said, ” I’m a volunteer. I’ve never received any payment from Special Olympics and that’s the story for most people that work for Special Olympics. All the funding is going to the programs. Those programs are what is introduced to our schools that help educators, like myself, build on inclusive programs that we already have initiated. Or, maybe there is something new that may help further our inclusive efforts. ”

We’ve learned the 18 million dollars in federal funding is divided among all 50 states and then split up between every program in that state.

A statement from Special Olympics North America was released in regard to the proposal, saying, ” As is the case each year after the President presents his budget to Congress, we engage in opportunities, such as our annual Capitol Hill Day activities, to educate lawmakers about why grant funding for our health and education programming is critical to protecting and increasing access to these services for people with intellectual disabilities. We look forward to continuing to raise awareness among U.S. government officials about the important work that Special Olympics doing in the United States and around the world. ”

Norris said what’s most important to him is inclusivity and meeting his students social and emotional needs beyond academics.

And he’s thankful that will continue.