Jenna Vander Laan, South Christian High alumni, shares how Connections impacted her high school experience and future career in this blog post.

At South Christian High School, we have a program called Connections, which creates meaningful relationships between students with special needs and their peers. So, what is Connections? According to the dictionary, "connections" are relationships with people, things, or ideas that are linked or associated with something else. This definition comes to life every day at South Christian, where students of all abilities are linked together through this program. Connections includes students with special needs as well as other students like me, and it has deeply impacted my high school experience.

I’ve been involved in Connections since my freshman year and have loved every minute of it. At first, I was a Lunch Partner, which meant spending time at lunch with my partner, Phillip, along with a few friends. Over time, I developed a passion for special education and became even more involved by serving as a peer tutor. Twice a week, I would dedicate my study hall time to helping a student in the program with reading, homework, or learning new concepts.

Now, as a senior, I am part of the Connections Council, where we plan events like the Banquet and ensure that all Lunch Partners are actively including their peers. This experience has helped me connect with my school community in a deeper and more meaningful way.

Teachers at South Christian play a huge part in the success of this inclusive education. I remember Mr. Huttenga, one of our teachers, discussing how he was initially hesitant about integrating students with disabilities into his general education classes. However, he quickly realized how much depth and perspective these students brought to the classroom, and he is now incredibly thankful for the enriched learning environment they’ve created. His teaching, like that of many others at South Christian, was transformed by the inclusion of students with disabilities.

Because of the impact of Connections, and the acceptance I’ve seen from the teachers and students at South Christian, I’ve decided to pursue special education and elementary teaching as my career path. I’ve realized that teaching is a win-win occupation—students receive an education, and teachers experience the joy of watching their students grow.

My hope is to one day return to South Christian High School, where my passion for special education began, and give back to the community that helped shape me.

The Connections program has been an unexpected and incredible blessing in my life. Seeing my partner’s face light up when they finally understood a difficult lesson or remembered a vocabulary word they struggled with brought so much joy to my weeks. Watching them grow not only academically, but emotionally and socially, was one of the most rewarding parts of my high school experience.

I was supposed to be teaching them their schoolwork, but in reality, I think I took away more than they did. My partners taught me how to love radically and passionately, to invest my whole self in everything I do. They taught me to see people as they truly are and not to be quick to judge. These individuals are so special in countless ways, and I’m incredibly thankful to call them my peers and friends.