By Anna Real
Circulation Editor
Put on your boogie shoes for friendship.
Mira Costa English teacher Shannon Vaughan has been hosting dance parties for special education students in room 18 during sixth period and after school. The parties have no definite dates and they are open to all students.
“It’s kind of just a fly by the seat of your pants thing,” Vaughan said. “The kids can just come and dance it out and build important friendships.”
The parties started several years ago when Silvia Martinez, the special needs teacher at Mira Costa, was trying to incorporate the special needs students into more outside activities. The parties have occurred less frequently since Martinez is no longer in charge of the group as a whole.
“Martinez is kind of the unsung hero at Mira Costa,” Vaughan said. “She is really wonderful when she is working with these kids, she seems to help them so much.”
Friendship Circle has thrown parties for almost every holiday, much like these dance parties. At these parties, the kids can learn to dance and are free to socialize. According to Vaughan, the dance parties have helped the students create friendships with each other because they are free to have fun and not stress out.
“Silvia would make decorations for these kids’ parties like you wouldn’t believe,” Vaughan said. “She pays for the party decorations out of her own pocket and really goes the extra mile with these students to help them build better relationships.”
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