Nulik’s a special special needs teacher

Derby sophomore Connor Robinette, a 21st Century Journalism student, wrote this story as part of his final project.

Special is the perfect word to describe Jennifer Nulik. She’s a special needs teacher at Derby High School who pours her heart into her job.

“She’s really sweet, I think it takes a special person to have a job like this,” sophomore Hannah Atakpa said.

Nulik didn’t see herself becoming a teacher but she now says that she’s extremely happy this is where she ended up.

She was originally in school to become a nurse but as her schooling went on and she took different classes she changed her mind and pursued an education in special education.

This is Nulik’s first year at Derby but she has has been working in the special needs department for four years. Although she hasn’t been here long, she’s fallen in love with the job and the kids she works with.

“She’s always coming up with fun stuff for the kids to do and you can tell she’s just really happy here,” Atakpa said.

There are three special needs classes at Derby High. Nulik teaches the class with the disabilities that are the most severe.

Her students are almost all nonverbal and some are in wheelchairs, but that doesn’t stop her from giving them the education they need.

Nuliks class differs from a regular students in many ways. She likes to incorporate crafts, cooking and music into her everyday plans so her students will stay stimulated and engaged. She tries to make everyday fun for them.

“I love to see the strides that they’ve made throughout the year,” Nulik said.

She also likes to incorporate her student aids into her class. At the end of each year, students can fill out forms to help in the special needs classes, these students are called “Panther Pals.”

Nulik likes to have her Panther Pals go on field trips with her class to help them grow closer to the students. They also help them with their class work and practice with them during basketball season.

“She’s just really so nice, she always finds a way for us to be included and we can tell that she cares about us,” sophomore Jaici Stanley said.

The goal of Nulik’s class is to teach kids skills and lessons that will help them in their daily lives, while at the same time she isn’t babying them. She said it’s important to give them responsibility and hold them accountable for their actions.

Nulik deeply cares for her students and the people around her.