As a girl, Stephanie Anderson battled a host of learning disabilities. Because there was no special education program available at school, her parents shuttled her back and forth after school from Sacramento to Redding to ensure she received the necessary help.

“I made up my mind at 13,” says Anderson, “that I was going to be a special education teacher. What a special-needs kid doesn’t need is more schooling after school.”

Anderson incorporated her childhood goal into her professional life. After graduating from college, Anderson spent three years teaching first and second grades at her alma mater, Redding Adventist Academy, where she saw firsthand the need for a special ed program.

With principal Gary Brown’s encouragement, Anderson earned her special education credential through Chico State’s program. In September 2004, Anderson became the first special education teacher at RAA, the only private school in the Redding area to offer such a program.

“Last year we had a student who didn’t move up to the next grade,” says Anderson. “His parents were ready to take him out of RAA, but placed him in the special education program instead. In just four months, he went from reading 15 to 69 words a minute.”

RAA has continued to see positive results with the special education program. “We’ve seen students progress from Ds and Fs to As and Bs in one quarter, mostly based on improving organizational skills,” said Anderson. Lacking the ability to organize is a symptom of attention deficit disorder, one of the most prevalent learning disabilities. In these cases, Anderson uses a special “study system” that involves daily supervision and direction of the child’s work.

Students currently enrolled in the special education program can attest to its impact. “I feel that I’m more successful now and better organized with my time,” said a senior student at RAA. “I have more confidence in myself, so I know I’ll do better in college with my new study skills.”

Anderson also attributes the success of the program to the one-on-one help she gives to her students. Special education at RAA is a “pull-out” program where students work daily or regularly with Anderson for a time period, but remain with their peers in their regular classrooms, in contrast to most public schools, where a group of special needs children are placed in one classroom with one special education teacher.

The RAA program caters to students with mild to moderate learning disabilities, including attention deficit disorder and dyslexia. Contrary to people’s conception of special education, “Those with mild to moderate learning disabilities fall within the normal IQ range,” said Anderson. “My initial goal is to build a relationship with the student and do what I can to boost their self-esteem,” she said.

Anderson’s students know just what she means. “I’m doing better on tests and in my homework,” said an RAA junior enrolled in her program. “I’ve really improved, and I love my success.”