Results tagged “Yucaipa-Calimesa School District Special Education” from Yucaipa Now

The special needs kids from the Yucaipa-Calimesa school district had fun playing games and sports during Spring Recreation Day 2009 at Yucaipa Regional Park recently.
Photos By Bob Otto / Staff Photographer

YUCAIPA - She calls them, "my kids." Her rewards are hugs, high fives, and smiles - lots of smiles.

Gail Diliberto has taught physical education in the Yucaipa-Calimesa school district for 24 years. Nineteen years as a regular PE teacher and the past five years as the district's only adaptive PE teacher.

And it's the past five years that have given her the greatest satisfaction in her teaching career. Diliberto works with special needs kids, those who face physical and mental challenges.

In a typical day, Diliberto travels from school to school, kindergarten through 12th grades, meeting with her kids and guiding them through special physical education and mentally challenging activities to enhance their life skills. And at the same time provide a fun time for kids that would have a difficult time adapting in a regular PE class.

"My rewards are seeing the kids smile and having fun," Diliberto said. "I think of them as my kids. To see them accomplish something is so rewarding. The little things that we take for granted are so special to them."