Since 1985, the New Jersey School Boards Association and ASAH, a not-for-profit organization of private schools and agencies providing highly specialized services to the private special education community, have sponsored an annual Special Education Week celebration in New Jersey. It is a time to recognize the achievements of our state’s special education students, the efforts of their teachers, and the support of parents and school officials for the important work they do.
As part of the annual Special Education Week celebration, NJSBA and ASAH recognize imaginative programs that help some of the state’s special needs students achieve their full potential.
The 2025 Innovations in Special Education Award program drew wide interest from the state’s special education community. For this year’s award, three programs were recognized, one “exemplary” and two “recognized,” out of 23 eligible entries submitted. by public and private schools from across New Jersey.
And the awards go to…
Agricultural Training Program
The Center for Education (Exemplary Program)The Center for Education in Lakewood, New Jersey is a private, special education school for disabled students operating since 2015.
The Center’s Agricultural Training Program is designed for adolescents with special needs and learning disabilities who thrive in non-traditional learning environments. The Center’s farm provides an alternative, engaging, and hands-on approach to education that fosters growth, confidence, and skill-building.
Students grasp essential concepts through interactive, real-life experiences that make learning more engaging and accessible. For example, to develop math skills, students learn numbers and measurements through practical applications, such as visualizing amounts by grouping eggs in a carton or estimating the weight of harvested vegetables before weighing them.
For science and biology instruction participants observe the stages of plant growth while learning about the importance of soil health, water cycles, and pollination. Students also study animal behavior and lifecycles, gaining empathy by identifying animal moods and relating to their own.
Problem-solving and critical thinking skills are developed by engaging in troubleshooting real farm challenges, such as identifying why a plant isn’t thriving or adjusting watering schedules based on weather patterns.
Beyond academic and vocational learning, the program fosters personal growth by building confidence and teamwork in a structured yet flexible setting that allows students to develop at their own pace. Each student is assigned tasks suited to their strengths and abilities, helping them take ownership of their work and see its impact over time.
Experienced community members, including older students and local volunteers, serve as mentors, offering guidance, encouragement, and hands-on assistance. Working in pairs or small groups to complete farm projects fosters collaboration, patience, and communication, allowing participants to build meaningful relationships with peers and mentors.
Skills learned on the farm translate into potential employment in greenhouses, landscaping, gardening centers, animal care, and retail.
At seasonal farmers’ markets students help sell produce and flowers, practicing money management, customer service, and interpersonal skills. Local partnerships and collaboration with local farmers, horticulturists, and artisans exposes students to potential career paths and mentorship opportunities.
A key goal of the program is to reduce isolation and foster meaningful social connections. Students work alongside peers who share a common interest in nature, animals, and farming, making it easier to form friendships in a relaxed, low-pressure environment.
To ensure that each student receives the support they need, the program maintains a low student-to-staff ratio. Personalized instruction ensures that students who may need extra time or alternative methods of learning receive the necessary accommodation.
Managing personal schedules, following instructions, and problem-solving on the farm contribute to greater independence and confidence in daily life.
Unlike traditional education models, the program is designed to harness each student’s strengths and inclinations while developing real-world skills in an interactive, supportive setting. By blending academics, vocational training, social development, and emotional well-being, the program provides an innovative and holistic approach to learning—one that prepares students not just for today, but for a lifetime of success.
Caught Being Kind
Lebanon Township School District (Recognized Program) Lebanon Township’s Caught Being Kind program has been a cornerstone of the district’s culture for over three years, fostering an environment where kindness, inclusion, and positive reinforcement thrive. Students are recognized for random acts of kindness, reinforcing the importance of empathy and compassion. Recognized students receive a certificate, hear their names announced over the PA system, and select a book from a book vending machine. Their kindness is further highlighted in the district’s weekly newsletter, and their families receive a personalized phone call, reinforcing the value of their actions at home.
The program has been particularly transformative for special education students, empowering them with a heightened sense of confidence, belonging, and purpose. By being acknowledged publicly and rewarded meaningfully, these students are motivated to continue engaging in positive social interactions, creating a ripple effect throughout their school communities. Beyond individual recognition, the Caught Being Kind program promotes inclusive education by bridging social gaps between students. Many special education students, after receiving recognition, have built friendships with general education peers, participated in inclusive book clubs, and even chosen to “pay it forward” by gifting their books to others.
A unique feature of the program is the book vending machine, which offers a tangible and meaningful reward for recognized students. Unlike conventional prize-based systems, this vending machine not only excites students, but also promotes literacy by allowing them to select a book of their choice. The vending machine, funded through a combination of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds and Parent Teacher Association resources, has enhanced the program’s impact by linking positive behavior with a love for reading, encouraging students to continue their kindness while fostering a passion for books.
The Caught Being Kind program is designed to make kindness a visible and celebrated part of the Lebanon Township School District’s culture, fostering an environment where all students—especially those in Special Education—feel seen, appreciated, and empowered to spread kindness.
Unlike traditional behavior incentive programs, this initiative focuses on recognizing and celebrating spontaneous acts of kindness, reinforcing positive social behavior without the expectation of a reward. What makes this program stand out is its seamless integration into daily school life—teachers and administrators actively observe and acknowledge students’ kind gestures in real time, making kindness a valued and visible part of the school community.
Yoga and Mindfulness Program
The South Bergen Jointure Commission (Recognized Program) Yoga, a holistic mind-body practice of breath regulation, physical postures, and mindfulness, has demonstrated significant positive impacts on resilience, self-esteem, mental health, and cognitive function in neurotypical youth. Recognizing these benefits, the South Bergen Jointure Commission has integrated yoga as a tier-one intervention within its multi-tiered system of behavioral support. This initiative aims to provide neurodivergent students with practical tools for enhanced mind and body awareness, foster improved balance, stability, and emotional well-being. By emphasizing self-regulation skills, the program empowers students to effectively manage their emotions and behaviors.
The South Bergen Jointure Commission’s Yoga and Mindfulness Program is a comprehensive and preventative classroom embedded-intervention designed to meet the diverse needs of students. By integrating these practices into the weekly curriculum, a culture of well-being is cultivated empowering students to achieve academic, social, and emotional success.
This program distinguishes itself through its targeted approach to addressing the specific challenges faced by students with autism, particularly those exhibiting aggressive or self-injurious behaviors linked to anxiety and stress. Recognizing that stressful environments can exacerbate these behaviors, yoga is implemented as a behavioral intervention, providing students with effective stress and anxiety management tools.
A key component of the program lies in its collaborative instruction model. While certified yoga teachers lead 40-minute sessions, special education teachers and paraprofessionals are present and active in supporting the instruction. This integrated approach not only reinforces the yoga practices but also empowers educational staff to extend these techniques beyond the designated sessions, incorporating mindfulness and stress-reduction strategies throughout the school day.
The Yoga and Mindfulness program acknowledges the significant impact of environmental stressors on students with autism, including sensory and relationship-based challenges. By directly addressing these triggers through targeted yoga and mindfulness exercises, the program offers a unique and supportive environment for students to develop coping mechanisms for a lifetime.
Ann Marie Smith is NJSBA’s Assistant Editor.
