In the morning, before the bell rings for first period, room 175 is abuzz with energy. Poms athletes are scattered around the room socializing, studying, doing homework or relaxing before a long day of school. At the same time, students who are part of the special education program settle into the classroom, preparing for the adventurous day ahead of them. This chaotic and lively scene is all a part of the community built by special education teacher and poms coach Mia Krawczel, or more commonly known as Coach K.
Often an overlooked part of the school, being a special education teacher is unlike any other. Krawzcel and her co-workers aim to teach neurodivergent students not just academically but also socially. Krawzcel specifically works in the classic autism program, one of the two programs that make up the special education department here.
On a typical school day, Krawczel gets her students from the buses and walks them to her classroom, where she prepares for the morning meeting. Then Krawczel does one-on-one instruction so students can work on their academic and vocational skills individually, as every student is different in their needs. While this schedule resembles neurotypical students’ school days, the social aspect of the special education program is a key difference.
Every day, students visit job sites for training or places in the community like restaurants, grocery stores and museums. The purpose of this exposure is to teach “special education students how to live and be a part of the community, while also working with the community to help support our students,” Krawzcel said.
Krawzcel plays a crucial role in supporting neurodivergent students to acclimate to society. Krawzel also helps teach businesses and community members how to be more welcoming to neurodivergent people. While being a part of the special education program is one of the ways Krawzcel is making her mark, she also creates school spirit to bring the community together by coaching the poms, the school’s dance squad.
After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelors of science in applied developmental psychology and a masters in education with a dual certification in special education PreK-21 years old and elementary education PreK-4th grade, Krawzcel applied for the open spot to coach poms at this school and was able to find an opening in the special education program too. Not only was she able to fulfill her dreams of being able to work with the special needs population but she was able to participate in choreographing and giving feedback to her athletes, continuing her passion for dance. After competing in dance all her life and even into college, dancing wasn’t, “a part of [her] that [she] was ready to give up,” Krawzcel said.
Though this opportunity provides Krawczel with the best of two worlds, it is a difficult task managing both. “It can feel overwhelming at times to have a team of 19 girls in your classroom putting face paint on each other or distributing Dunkin’ coffees while my students are settling in for the day,” Krawzcel said.
Despite the chaos of the scene, Krawzcel said that she appreciates the visits from her athletes who are able to take her out of a stressful situation. In the special education program, Krawzcel said if there is ever a hard day, “I really appreciate the poms who come in to visit because it takes me out of the stressful situation for a moment and brings me back to a place of ‘It’s OK, change your hat, move on to the next thing..”
Highlighted by her athletes’ respect for her, even with the stress of being a teacher, Krawzcel is a role model and mentor for her poms athletes. By joining in on poms bonding activities, sponsoring her athlete’s clubs or simply being there for her athletes, Krawzcel is someone who not only her students but her athletes can look up to. Her passion for her job is, “shown through her strong friendships with teachers and her love towards each student,” junior poms athlete Jilli Nalibotsky said.
Though Krawzcel participates in bonding with her athletes, she also focuses on bonding her athletes with the community. She provides them with opportunities to perform at athletic events, schools festivals and performances like POTH, fundraise at bake sales and connect with future poms through pee wee poms. Most importantly, as a coach Krawzcel helps to push her athletes, “to be better as individuals as a team every single day,” junior poms athlete Michelle Liu said.
