Story by Jen Jordan / May 16, 2023
By Mia Riddle – Director of Culture & Multi-tiered Systems Support (Meeting Street – Burns)
What makes teaching Special Education at Meeting Street Schools different from teaching in a traditional public school?
Teaching Special Education at Meeting Street Schools is definitely different than other South Carolina Schools.
Within Meeting Street Schools, our caseload for special education teachers is smaller in comparison to surrounding districts. So, for example, in other districts, special education teachers could have a caseload of one to 60.
At Meeting Street Schools, our caseloads average between one to twelve. We are fortunate that, unlike other surrounding districts, our special education teachers have in-house compliance coordinators on campus. So they get access to immediate support for making sure that we are compliant and aligned to South Carolina state regulations.
Regarding writing Individual Education Plan, we also do in-house special education professional development on skills like IEP writing and giving teachers an in-depth understanding of how to support students who may have needs in the area of autism.
What is an IEP?
An Individual Education Plan. So, that would be given to those students who have gone through the response to Intervention process, through NCSS and gone through evaluation, and it’s been determined that they have a specific learning or cognitive disability that impacts their ability to access content as a student within a general education class.
What is the biggest challenge for a special education teacher? And how does Meeting Street Schools support special education teachers in that challenge?
I would say, based on my years of supporting and coaching special education teachers, there’s theory and there’s practice, right? There are theories for teaching kids, but until they come into a school setting and actually put those things in practice there are things that they’re just not prepared for. So, most new teachers coming into the profession struggle with learning how to be a teacher in general, learning how to navigate the various curriculums, and then also learning all the things that go into making sure that Individual Education Plans (IEPs) are within compliance of the law.
Those challenges are made more difficult when you add learning how to navigate building partnerships with the general education classroom to make sure that those teachers are knowledgeable on how to carry over accommodations and modifications that students may have.
That’s why Meeting Street Schools prioritizes providing professional development opportunities. Each teacher at MSS has a coach who pushes in, gives you feedback, helps, supports, and guides you along with the compliance coordinator, on how to interact and how to engage with teachers to give that level of support.
And then, although we are unique in the type of school as a Public School of Innovation, we still follow all South Carolina state guidelines, and we still follow special education guidelines within Charleston County School District. So, navigating those things can also be a challenge to new Special Education teachers.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? Or do you have a most rewarding moment?
I’m always grateful to be in this role to support kids, because I feel like anytime that you support students within the special education realm, you’re a voice for kids that may not otherwise have a voice.
There are students that struggle with disabilities. They present differently, they learn differently, they access education differently. And so it’s always rewarding to leave knowing, the teachers that are here give 100% to help kids reach goals beyond what they thought was possible for themselves.
It’s rewarding to see students accomplish milestones when they start believing in themselves, when they start interacting and engaging in their learning, equal to what would be considered a general education student.
Ms. Riddle was born and raised in the Lowcountry on Wadmalaw Island. She believes that every child is unique and she hopes to help each child rise to reach their full potential. She has been working in the educational field for 18 years. She taught 9 years in first grade, where she loved creating a unique learning environment. She taught 1st-2nd grade reading intervention for 3 years as a Master Reading teacher. Ms. Riddle has been a part of Meeting Streets for 4 years working as the Director of Student Support services. She received her Associates in Art degree from Spartanburg Methodist College, a Bachelor in Science degree from Charleston Southern University, a Masters degree in Curriculum, Reading and Assessment from Lesley University and her adjunct certification in Reading Recovery from Clemson University. Outside of school, she loves spending time with family, baking,puzzling, reading and shopping!
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Start Your Career!Meeting Street Schools (MSS) is an innovative non-profit where schools, families, and the community collaborate to create environments where all children can achieve their full potential. With a network of schools across South Carolina, including MSA-Charleston (Charleston, SC), MSA-Spartanburg (Spartanburg, SC), MS-Brentwood (North Charleston, SC), MS-Burns (North Charleston, SC), and MS-Jasper & Beaufort (Jasper, SC), we are committed to providing students with the rigorous education they deserve.
Founded on the principle that every child deserves an excellent education regardless of their socio-economic background, Meeting Street Schools has been a beacon of hope and a testament to what's possible in education. Our schools are driven by a strong focus on student achievement, evidence-based instruction, and relentless support of our students and their families.
While united by our shared mission, each MSS campus, is unique in its character, tapping into the local spirit of the communities they serve. Explore each of our schools and discover how they're creating a brighter future for students in South Carolina.
Nestled in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, MSA Charleston is more than just a school—it’s a hub for innovative learning and community engagement. As part of the Meeting Street Schools network, MSA Charleston embodies a commitment to excellence through its rigorous academic programs, inclusive culture, and focus on developing the whole child. With a curriculum that emphasizes both academic and personal growth, MSA Charleston prepares students to be curious learners and active citizens of their community.
MSA Spartanburg stands as a pillar of educational innovation in the Spartanburg community. The school’s dedicated educators and supportive learning environment ensure that each child receives a high-quality, personalized education with exceptional faculty and teachers. MSA Spartanburg is distinguished by its emphasis on community partnership, fostering relationships that extend beyond the classroom to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success.
MS Brentwood is a place where education meets opportunity. Serving the Brentwood area, this school is a testament to the transformative power of education. With a student-centered approach that celebrates diversity and encourages excellence, MS Brentwood is dedicated to equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. MS Brentwood also serves as a hub for the Brentwood community to access educational and wellness services. The school’s commitment to innovation, coupled with a warm, welcoming environment, makes it a standout in the MSS network.
Located in a community rich with history and culture, MS Burns is renowned for its dynamic educational approach that intertwines traditional learning with modern teaching techniques. The school’s focus on experiential learning ensures that students at MS Burns are not only recipients of knowledge but also active participants in their educational journey. MS Burns exists to spark an educational revolution for the students and families in the Dorchester-Waylyn Neighborhood in North Charleston. With a commitment to creating a supportive and challenging academic environment, MS Burns is forging a new path in public education.
MS Jasper represents the Meeting Street Schools’ dedication to community-based education with a global perspective. The school provides a nurturing environment where students are encouraged to explore their potential and cultivate a love for learning. With its diverse programs such as Eureka Math, and Wit and Wisdom, MS Jasper puts a major emphasis on character development, specialized learning and equips students to become thoughtful, engaged members of society, reflecting the MSS ethos of empowerment through education.
“MSA is a family. Once you’re in, you’re in. They said they would follow our kids from K-3 to college and they actually lived up to what they said they would do. Not only did MSA challenge my daughter academically but it also exposed her to new things that she probably wouldn’t have been exposed to at our previous neighborhood school. Our journey at MSA was exciting and rewarding. They actually walk the walk.”
“We come into work everyday truly believing that our students are capable of achieving anything that is put in front of them. Here at MSS, students are provided the opportunity to achieve success through the facilitation of well-educated teachers, resources, and a responsive classroom school environment.”
Meeting Street Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, or national or ethnic in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships or loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs.
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