LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Jennifer Higginbotham was nominated anonymously.

A positive classroom environment is essential for all students, but it is especially critical in special education settings where learners often face unique academic, behavioral, and emotional challenges. In such environments, students thrive when they feel safe, respected, supported, and empowered. Creating this kind of classroom requires planning, empathy, and a flexible approach to teaching and learning. 

Ms. Higginbotham ensures emotional and physical safety. Students with disabilities may experience anxiety, sensory sensitivities, or difficulty with transitions, so having a consistent, predictable routine is key. She has implemented items such as visual schedules, classroom rules stated in positive language, and clearly defined procedures to help reduce confusion and increase a sense of security. By providing a structured environment where students know what to expect, she has supported their ability to focus, learn, and build confidence.

Strong teacher-student relationships are at the heart of any supportive learning environment. Building trust begins with showing genuine care and interest in each student's strengths, needs, and background. In special education, it is vital to meet students where they are developmentally and emotionally.

Ms. Higginbotham has personally made it a mission to get to know her students' interests and include those items either in her daily work or through free time activities. She encourages peer relationships through cooperative learning and structured social activities to help students feel included and valued.

Collaboration with families is equally important, as it builds consistency between home and school and fosters a team-based approach to student success. Ms. Higginbotham helped bridge family communication by including parents in every step of their child's education. This was established by allowing parents to have a say in what their child was learning outside of the curriculum. If a parent wanted their child to learn how to cook, she ensured small groups were learning about measurements and following a recipe. 

In a special education classroom, celebrating progress—no matter how small—is essential. Students with disabilities may not always meet grade-level benchmarks, but they can still achieve personal goals and make significant improvements over time. When a student meets any goal, Ms. Higginbotham and her classroom staff overemphasize effort over perfection and use positive reinforcement to encourage persistence and resilience. She has helped create a culture that values mistakes as part of learning, builds students' confidence, and helps them develop a growth mindset.

Every classroom should reflect the diverse needs of its students, and this is especially true in special education. Ms. Higginbotham has built a positive environment where materials are accessible, sensory needs are accommodated, and students can engage in learning in ways that work best for them. Flexible seating, visual supports, communication devices, and differentiated instruction are all tools within her classroom that promote inclusivity.

Additionally, Ms. Higginbotham has a wide range of learning activities that help students feel more in control and respected as individuals. Challenging behaviors are often a form of communication, especially for students who struggle with verbal expression. Within her classroom, she and the classroom staff recognize this and emphasize proactive behavior strategies over punishment.

Ms. Higginbotham makes an effort to explicitly teach social and emotional skills, use behavior support plans, and provide calming areas for students to regulate their emotions. Positive Behavior Instruction Strategies (PBIS) are also heavily used within the room and taught daily with Scribble Spot. She's constantly reinforcing positive behaviors through praise, rewards, and consistent expectations to create a classroom culture of respect and responsibility.

Creating a positive classroom environment in special education is a dynamic process that involves understanding, compassion, and a commitment to meeting students where they are. When students feel safe, supported, and empowered, they are more likely to engage in learning, build meaningful relationships, and achieve their fullest potential. By fostering an inclusive, structured, and encouraging space, Ms. Higginbotham and her classroom staff make a lasting impact on the lives of her students.