A seasoned educator toils with the harrowing highs and lows of special needs teens at her new job. Will she give up, or survive and become the champion they need.

SYNOPSIS:

SPECIAL is a dramedy feature about special needs teacher Julia. This teacher is my dear friend and all events mentioned are very real. This story will bring shock, awe, tears and laughter. It’s a bit of a mix between Dangerous MInds and Peanut Butter Falcon. Hold on tight! Teachers are going straight to heaven… Especially special ones.

Ms. Julia’s art teacher position comes to a screeching halt and she is transferred to a special ed school for 11-19yr olds. She is not prepared, nor is anyone for what’s coming. She does her best to survive each day with all the love and grace one human could possibly hold.

School sits on lovely grounds with wooded trails... A paradise perfect for class time. Her toughest student William has ideas of his own and takes off full speed into the forest. Jules frantically discovers him naked, splashing in a disgusting icy mudhole and has to go in after him. Getting naked is a favorite behavior of Willy’s. Jules sews him jumpsuits that don’t come off so easily. Still, he ends up naked on the swingset swinging in delight, swinging back, “Fuck you, I’ll kill you.” And forward, “Ms. Jule, I love youuu!” The classroom is an orchestrated poop fest. When one adult diaper needs changing, the next one is stinking. These kids are masterminds at pushing peoples’ buttons, it’s uncanny. Jules, 2 parapros and 4 students are the main characters. Janey likes to take apart her wheelchair and chuck it at you, hard. Jules cannot believe the size of Janey’s bush while assisting her in the restroom. Fellow teachers whisper about what antidepressant/anxiety meds are working for them. William has violent episodes where he self harms and has to be isolated in a padded room. He splashes in his urine and mom or grandma is called to come get him if he bleeds from self harm. Oftentimes it takes 2hrs to get him on the bus or in a car to go home. Mom and grandma sit on him to make him stop hurting himself. One day he takes out 2 bathroom stall walls with a simple linebacker type rush. Ms. Julia’s 200lb favorite “bipolar bear” Willy. He’s got multiple complex diagnoses, like all the students there. The stress is unbearable at times.

A miraculous afternoon trip to a ranch brings Julia to tears. Nonverbal students talking to horses. Animals not wanting anything to do with humans laying beside Down syndrome kids. She wonders if neurotypical humans may be the problem… She cares deeply for her students and forms powerful bonds with them and their families. A dilemma for many families is the absence of care from 19-21yrs. This is a critical time for special needs. Julia advocates diligently to get various government and private services to her students.

Ms. Julia knows how to unwind! She drinks craft beer and smokes craftier weed. She’s a big beautiful gal who has mastered the online dating scene and has black boys lining up at the door. She’s also mom to her 12yr old son and is a fabulous artist.