This spotlight is of Nicole Urteaga, Special Day Class (SDC) Teacher for Medically Fragile Preschool and Kindergarten Students at Walton Special Center. Nicole is applying for The 2024 Kerry Magro Special Education Teacher, Therapist, and Aide Grant via the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference started by me, Kerry Magro. I was nonverbal till 2.5 and diagnosed with autism at 4, and you can read more about my organization here.
Nicole Urteaga has dedicated the past nine years to shaping the lives of medically fragile preschool and kindergarten students at Walton Special Center in Stockton, California. As a Special Day Class (SDC) teacher, her work with children who have autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other complex needs is nothing short of inspiring. Now, Nicole is applying for the Kerry Magro Special Education Teacher, Therapist, and Aide Grant, a program run by the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference, to further enrich her classroom and meet the individualized needs of her students.
Nicole’s teaching philosophy embodies adaptability and compassion. When asked what “Teaching the Way Our Students Learn” means to her, she explained: “Each child learns differently. We as teachers have to be more like detectives. I need to find out what triggers each student and how to help them learn. That is why every student in my class has an IEP to help meet their individual needs. We use a variety of sensory items in my class to help them through the day. We have swings in my classroom as well as on the playground that my students have access to, as well as chewerly, soft blankets, headphones, bubble towers, and many other items to help acclimate my students. I also use a warm water pool as well.” Her innovative use of tools such as swings, kinetic sand, and calming strips helps her students feel secure, understood, and ready to engage. Each of these tools is tailored to accommodate the individual sensory and emotional needs of her students, ensuring they can thrive in their learning environment.
Nicole shared a heartwarming example of how technology is opening new doors for her students: “We are using a new communication device and we are learning that this program is allowing our students to express so much more than we thought. We are using TD Snap, and it allows students to make more choices than we had printed out as picture icons. Some kids are even telling jokes. We would have never known that he likes to tell jokes without this app on the iPad.” This breakthrough demonstrates how access to the right tools can transform lives, allowing nonverbal students to connect with others and share parts of themselves that were previously hidden.
If awarded, Nicole plans to use the grant to continue building an environment tailored to her students’ diverse needs. Items like noise-canceling headphones, crash pads, and light covers would make her classroom a calming haven, while tools such as kinetic sand and chewerly would provide additional sensory support. Nicole believes these resources are critical in helping her students achieve their individual goals, and she is deeply committed to ensuring every child feels seen, heard, and capable of success.
Nicole Urteaga’s story reflects the heart of the Kerry Magro Special Education Teacher, Therapist, and Aide Grant program—empowering educators who go above and beyond to meet the unique needs of their students. By continuing to innovate and advocate, Nicole is making an extraordinary impact on her students’ lives.
Have Dr. Kerry Magro give a student assembly, staff development for your educators or a parent talk for your parents by contacting him here for more details.
Follow my journey on Facebook, my Facebook Fan Page, Tiktok, Youtube & Instagram.
My name is Kerry Magro, a professional speaker and best-selling author who is also on the autism spectrum. I started the nonprofit KFM Making a Difference in 2011 to help students with autism receive scholarship aid to pursue post-secondary education. Help support me so I can continue to help students with autism go to college by making a tax-deductible donation to our nonprofit here.
