Laurie Miracle Lives Up to Her Name for Her Special Needs Class in Alamo Heights ISD

Laurie Miracle lives up to her name. She DOES create miracles for children with special needs at the Howard Early Childhood Center. Since 2004, she has made outstanding contributions to continuing a tradition of excellence in Alamo Heights schools.

Last year, Miracle helped launch a successful employee childcare program (called the Mini-Mules), to provide age-appropriate learning experiences for preschool-age children in an inclusive, developmentally appropriate setting with her Pre-School Program for Children with Disabilities (PPCD) 3-year students.

"The Mini-Mules help me do my job," Miracle laughs, as she watches a little helper passing out red apple stick figures for a game. "Say please," The pint-sized helper says to each child as she passes around the circle. "Please," each one answers politely.

"I didn't ask her to do that," Miracle explains. "She is just doing it on her own, but that's what is wonderful about the program. The Mini-Mules laugh, cry, play. They're just being themselves at their ages, and my PPCD children really respond to them and learn."

A graduate of Alamo Heights High School, she always knew that she wanted to teach children with special needs. She believes that every child can learn and develop. "They may need a little more time and more one-on-one attention," she maintains, "but they are able to become functioning and successful when given the opportunity."