A Road Map to the Right Learning Environment

Tremonte has set a high bar for himself for his first semester of college: He’s studying aviation and computer science, and the aviation building where he has his first class of the day at 8am is on the other side of campus from his dorm. He’s a dedicated student, and also knows he can always call his Mee-ma for advice, whether it’s about time management or cooking in the dorm kitchen.  

Tremonte came to live with his grandmother, Ms. Johnson – aka Mee-ma – when he was nine. He was a bright and thoughtful child, but had trouble staying engaged and often forgot routine things. Ms. Johnson worked with his school to coordinate an evaluation and following his diagnosis of attention deficit disorder, they developed an Individualized Education Plan (“IEP”) so Tremonte would receive the right services to help him learn.  

New Challenges at a New School

When he started high school, however, his new school wasn’t nearly as supportive. Ms. Johnson reached out repeatedly to the new IEP team to discuss Tremonte’s evolving needs – but kept getting the run around. Things got worse when Tremonte became the target for bullying and attacks from a group of older students. Not only did the school ignore his learning needs, they repeatedly failed to keep Tremonte safe.  

In March of his freshman year, Tremonte was assaulted by the same group of older students just off campus. He was rushed to the hospital. The injuries were so bad that the surgeons had to wire Tremonte’s jaw shut.  

For six weeks, Ms. Johnson made nothing but smoothies and other liquid foods to help Tremonte heal. She was devastated, but she knew she had to put all her energy and focus into supporting Tremonte – she wasn’t going to let his education be derailed.  

Building a Team with One Goal

Ms. Johnson reached out to Children’s Law Center and worked with a team led by Senior Education Attorney Nickie Cardamone to build a path forward for Tremonte. 

Ms. Johnson wasn’t certain what to expect in working with an attorney, but was relieved from the start to see how focused Ms. Cardamone was on supporting Ms. Johnson’s goals for her grandson. 

I told Ms. Cardamone and I told Tremonte, ‘I’m going to do everything I can to put together a roadmap for you to have a safer learning environment.’

Ms. Johnson

Ms. Johnson had applied for Tremonte to have virtual instruction for the remainder of the school year, and the Children’s Law Center team helped Ms. Johnson find a new school for Tremonte for the fall with a more individualized learning environment.

What’s Possible with the Right Support

Once he started at his new high school, they worked with the school to update his IEP and secure specialized instruction that would meet his needs and help him get back on track.  

Tremonte thrived at his new school. He received individualized support in the classroom and online after school hours to keep making progress. The school lined up internships and fostered his love of science and aviation through a flight lesson program – and kept in close communication with Ms. Johnson about his progress.   

During his senior year, Ms. Johnson and Ms. Cardamone also worked together to get a transition assessment for Tremonte funded by his school to help him think through what strategies and accommodations would help him continue to thrive in college.  

Tremonte made up for lost time so quickly that he had enough credits to graduate a semester ahead of what they’d planned. And after such a difficult start to his high school career, Ms. Johnson was overwhelmed and overjoyed when Tremonte told her he’d been chosen to be one of the graduation speakers – and asked if she could help him practice his speech.  

On graduation day, Tremonte took the stage at Howard University where the ceremony was held. He proudly introduced the graduating class as his classmates and friends – and his Mee-ma – cheered him on. 

* Stock photos have been used.