Gary teachers receive autism awareness training
Gary teachers and staff received sensitivity training over the summer following an incident that drew national scrutiny when an autistic 11-year-old Bailly Elementary student received a “most annoying male” trophy to an during a May 23 awards luncheon.
The student’s parents, who attended the luncheon, were stunned and outraged. The family of the Bailly Elementary student, complained to school officials and the media.
Bailly teachers Alexis Anderson-Harper, Crystal Beeks and ex-principal Carlita Royal have been fired, district spokeswoman Chelsea Whittington said via email.
Teacher Bianca Jones was allowed to go back to work after an internal investigation.
“She was found not to be involved in the creation of distribution of the awards,” Whittington said.
Rick Castejon said Wednesday his son still attends Bailly, after attempts to transfer him to another school district failed.
They tried to get him into a Hobart school, but couldn’t since they still live in Gary, he said.
“We can’t get him at any other school,” Castejon said. “We have no choice.”
Chief Academic Officer Nakia Douglas and Iliana El-Khailani, director of special populations at the Gary Community School Corp., detailed the training to members of the district’s school advisory board last week.
“In the summer, all staff trainings addressed care and concern so we don’t have a repeat of the Bailly situation,” said Douglas. “We want to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
El-Khailani said professional development training for teachers covered autism awareness. “We talked about how we speak to kids and positive behavior intervention.”
She said the training could serve as a blueprint for developing positive relationships with the entire community.
Douglas said schools were also aiming at decreasing suspensions by 25% this year.
She said a partnership with the University of Chicago includes leadership training and community engagement.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Staff writer Meredith ColiasPete contributed to this report.