Jeff Gianola and Matt Rawlings
7 hours ago
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — During recess tucker maxon schoolthe children are often busy feeding the goats.
It’s unusual to see a goat in a school playground, but this school has something even more unique.
Many of the children who attend classes at Tucker Maxson School are deaf or suffer from severe hearing loss. Fortunately, this school has been in Southeast Portland for 75 years, serving as a beacon of hope for deaf children and their families.
“They say it was a life-changing experience and they are forever grateful for the experience they had here at such a young age. It prepared them to do whatever they wanted to do in the world.” said Glenn Gilbert, the association’s executive director. school. “It’s a very unique school in the country. We have deaf and hearing children learning together in the same classrooms, and each child learns to grow and develop, with great results. I We’ve been doing this for 75 years, and there are very few places like this in the world.”
Maria, a school volunteer, has three children who were born with hearing loss. Every morning, she travels from McMinnville to Southeast Portland, where she can attend school.
“I do this job because I love children and want to see them pursue their fullest potential in developing language skills,” she said. .
The school also has an early intervention program.
“This was really helpful because I have twins, one of whom is partially deaf and the other has typical hearing. “I think it’s easy to compare how they are doing,” said Emily, another parent of Tucker Maxson. “One of the things that really struck me was the fact that we are integrating both children with typical hearing and children with hearing loss, which is important. We want to be able to go to school, and we’re grateful to have the opportunity to bring our kids together in this space. I think that’s really great. That there are schools that embrace that. will be grateful to.”
There are many things that make Portland special and unique, but one of them is the incredible work it has done for nearly 80 years, opening up a whole new world to children who were once silenced. That’s it.
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Tucker Maxson’s impact is very personal to KOIN 6 anchor Jeff Gianola, who has suffered severe hearing loss for the past four years as a result of Meniere’s disease, a progressive disease that destroys the hearing and balance functions of the inner ear. It’s something.
“I was so inspired by visiting schools and seeing how children learn and communicate,” Gianola said. “It’s truly life-changing and gives parents hope.”
Gianola will be emceeing the Tucker Maxson auction and fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 23, to commemorate the school’s 75th anniversary of supporting deaf and hard of hearing children.
