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Phone: 480 472-0673
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you. I am Merrilee Miller, the LRE Inclusion Specialist for Mesa Public Schools. I graduated from ASU in 1996 with an emphasis in Special Education and received my Masters degree in Elementary Education through NAU in 1999. I am highly qualified as both a Special Education teacher for K-12 and Elementary K-6. I carry endorsements for Early Childhood, English as a Second Language and as a Reading Specialist. I have taught in Mesa for 16 years during which, I have served on many committees and contributed to the professional learning community. Prior to this position in the district, I taught the SLD-X Intermediate class at Hale Elementary. I also taught at Adams Elementary as the LD Resource teacher .
As the Least Restrictive Environment Inclusion specialist, I have a personal commitment to each child and their family in Mesa to prepare them for their future. Together we can develop inclusive practices to meet the unique needs of your child in a purposeful, engaging way. All students benefit from students with and without disabilities learning and growing together. I believe all students are members of the school in their general education classroom and leave for short periods of specialized support and then return NOT students who are members of a special education class who visit general education classrooms when "it works out" for everyone. I believe in intensely focused specialized instruction away from peers only when the student's needs cannot be fully met in the general education setting. The rigors of a classroom on improving student performance in the areas of reading, math, written expression, and skills related to listening and following directions are still in place. There is also a heavy emphasis on communication and essential social skills but most of all, the outcome needs to be a well prepared individual who can be a productive member of society to their fullest capability. I am dedicated to Mesa students’ education and am looking forward to working with you!