In this week’s episode of Making the Grade, Big Rapids Superintendent and host Tim Haist was joined by Brookside Elementary principal Ken Ranjel, Director of Special Education Pat Craven, and Special Education Teacher Mary Quinlan to talk about special education at Big Rapids Public Schools.
Written by Connor Penn and Scott Purcey | Image Created by Kourtney Fairchild
Leveling the Playing Field
Hello Bulldogs! Welcome to this week’s episode of Making the Grade, where we dive into some very important information about Special Education in the Big Rapids Public School District. Our host, Tim Haist, is joined by three incredible guests: Mary Quinlan, Ken Ranjel, and Pat Craven. Together, they share valuable insights and personal stories that highlight the significance of Special Education in our community. Each guest brings a unique perspective to the table, showing just how crucial this topic is for both students and educators.
We start with Mary Quinlan, a special education teacher at Big Rapids High School. Mary emphasizes that Special Education is all about leveling the playing field. Her goal is to help all her students meet the expectations of the Michigan Merit Curriculum. While some students face challenges along the way, Mary believes every one of them can succeed, as they each bring their own strengths. This is something that hits close to home for Mary, as she has a family member who also benefits from Special Education. Her commitment to finding and nurturing her students’ strengths drives her to help them reach the finish line, just as her daughter did.
Next, we hear from Pat Craven, the Director of Special Education at Big Rapids High School. Pat takes us through some essential acronyms like FAPE (Free and Appropriate Public Education), IEP (Individualized Education Plan), MDR (Manifestation Determination Review), and LRE (Least Restrictive Environment). These terms are crucial in understanding how Special Education works within the district. Pat shares his passion for advocating on behalf of these students, explaining his role as a leader who works tirelessly to ensure that every student has the resources and support they need to thrive—not just as students, but as future adults.
We also meet Ken Ranjel, the new principal at Brookside Elementary. Ken talks about his journey, which started with a phone call offering him the opportunity to return to the Big Rapids school system as a football coach. His passion for coaching led him to pursue teaching credentials, and now he brings his experience to the principal’s office. Ken believes in building strong teams, encouraging his students, and instilling a clear vision for success. His goal is to help his students grow into responsible, value-driven citizens who will go on to lead fulfilling lives.
Least Restrictive Environments
In this episode of Making the Grade, we also explore the concept of Least Restrictive Environment (LRE), an important component of Special Education. LRE ensures that students with disabilities can receive the individualized support they need while being integrated into general education settings to the greatest extent possible. The team works together to determine the best educational environment that balances support with inclusivity. Throughout the episode, we’ll discuss how LRE helps students with various disabilities, the importance of parental involvement, and the vital role of Special Education teachers in implementing each student’s IEP.
The second half of the episode will focus on the ways LRE supports students with different needs and why it’s so important for parents to be proactive in understanding how LRE works for their children. We’ll also discuss how the principal’s role supports both teachers and students, ensuring that everyone has the resources they need to succeed. As Big Rapids School Superintendent, Tim Haist oversees the entire process to make sure students are well-prepared for their futures, equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.
We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone at Big Rapids Public Schools for their dedication to our students and for living up to our district motto: Preparing Students for a Successful Future. Thanks for listening to Making the Grade, and we hope you’ll join us again next time!