This spotlight is of Roxanne Henry, an Occupational Therapist at Collegium Charter School. Roxanne 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.
Roxanne Henry’s journey as an Occupational Therapist at Collegium Charter School has been defined by a deep commitment to understanding the diverse needs of her students and providing them with personalized, supportive therapy. With over a decade of experience working with children from Kindergarten to 6th grade, Roxanne has been instrumental in helping students overcome challenges related to fine motor skills, sensory regulation, and motor coordination. She is now applying for the Kerry Magro Special Education Teacher, Therapist, and Aide Grant, offered by KFM Making a Difference, which will allow her to expand her efforts in creating a more inclusive and accessible school environment for all students, particularly those with sensory sensitivities.
As an educator, Roxanne believes that every child learns in their own unique way. Her approach to “teaching the way our students learn” is rooted in the philosophy that individualized support is key to fostering success. Rather than seeing her students as part of a collective, Roxanne tailors her strategies to meet the specific needs of each child, ensuring that they receive the support that is most beneficial for them. Her number one priority is building trust, especially with students who may already be struggling with certain skills or facing emotional challenges.
For Roxanne, creating a safe and comfortable space for students is essential to helping them succeed. She often begins therapy sessions by engaging with students in a non-academic, playful way, whether it’s sitting on the floor, building a fort, or simply talking with them in a relaxed, low-pressure environment. This approach, while unorthodox in a traditional academic setting, allows Roxanne to establish a strong rapport with her students and build their confidence. Once that trust is in place, she can introduce more structured tasks, like writing exercises, with much greater success.
“Meeting students where they are” is central to Roxanne’s philosophy. For some, this might mean offering them the option to have their therapy sessions in their own classroom rather than the therapy room, or adjusting tasks to match their developmental level. She also empowers her students by allowing them to have a say in their treatment plan. This inclusive approach helps students feel more in control of their own learning and supports their personal growth and independence.
As a neurodivergent adult, Roxanne openly shares her own experiences and strategies for success with her students. This transparency not only fosters a deeper connection but also teaches her students that it’s okay to ask for help, embrace different learning styles, and advocate for their own needs. By sharing her journey, Roxanne provides her students with a role model who embodies authenticity, self-advocacy, and resilience.
Roxanne is also a strong advocate for Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and is collaborating with her school to incorporate sensory components into the UDL framework. She believes that by educating staff about sensory needs and how they affect all students, schools can create a more inclusive environment that supports co-regulation and promotes understanding.
The Kerry Magro Special Education Teacher, Therapist, and Aide Grant will help Roxanne take her efforts to the next level by providing essential resources to improve sensory accommodations at her school. One area where she sees an immediate need is the Performing Arts Center, a space where students from Kindergarten to 12th grade gather for performances and assemblies. While these events offer great opportunities for students, the sensory overload in such large environments can be overwhelming for some, especially those with autism or sensory processing issues.
Roxanne’s vision for the grant is to create sensory-friendly spaces or provide sensory bags for students attending these events. By offering tools to help students self-regulate, these accommodations would make school-wide performances more accessible and allow students with sensory sensitivities to participate more comfortably. This initiative would not only benefit her therapy students but also provide a more inclusive experience for all students across the school.
Roxanne’s impact extends beyond the therapy room. Over the past five years, she has been a driving force behind Neurodiversity Month at Collegium Charter School. Through this initiative, Roxanne has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and promote understanding of neurodiverse conditions such as Autism, ADHD, Anxiety, and Dyslexia. She has organized age-appropriate activities, videos, and lessons for students, ensuring that every classroom is equipped with resources to teach about neurodiversity.
In addition to educating students, Roxanne provides ongoing training for staff on sensory integration and neurodiversity. This professional development ensures that teachers are better equipped to support all students, especially those with special needs, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment school-wide. Roxanne’s work has helped foster a culture of inclusion, where differences are celebrated and all students feel empowered to succeed.
One of the highlights of Neurodiversity Month is the celebration at the end of April, where students participate in creative activities such as painting ceiling tiles and enjoying a bubble party. These events not only educate but also bring the school community together, fostering a sense of belonging and unity. By celebrating neurodiversity, Roxanne aims to create an environment where every student feels valued, understood, and capable of achieving success.
As an educator, Roxanne finds her greatest joy in witnessing the success of her students. While she has many stories of individual achievements, she is particularly proud of the sense of community and belonging that has been cultivated at her school. Through her advocacy for neurodiversity, her personalized therapy sessions, and her ongoing efforts to educate both students and staff, Roxanne is helping to create a school culture that embraces differences and celebrates the strengths of every student.
The Kerry Magro Grant would allow Roxanne to continue this important work, expanding the sensory accommodations available to students and further enriching the inclusive culture at Collegium Charter School. With her dedication, passion, and commitment to meeting the needs of all students, Roxanne Henry is a shining example of what it means to teach the way students learn, creating a path to success for every child she works with.
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.
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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.
