![photo of bulletin board, Autism Acceptance]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1713211005/princetonk12org/y4fv2o2oywbfgoob7rzj/IMG_6519.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1713211005/princetonk12org/y4fv2o2oywbfgoob7rzj/IMG_6519.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1713211005/princetonk12org/y4fv2o2oywbfgoob7rzj/IMG_6519.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1713211005/princetonk12org/y4fv2o2oywbfgoob7rzj/IMG_6519.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1713211005/princetonk12org/y4fv2o2oywbfgoob7rzj/IMG_6519.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1713211005/princetonk12org/y4fv2o2oywbfgoob7rzj/IMG_6519.jpg","width":2200}])
As part of programming scheduled for Autism Acceptance Month, students at Princeton Middle School had an exciting opportunity to interact with Dr. Temple Grandin, a prominent author and speaker on both autism and animal behavior. A school-wide Zoom session included a series of questions from PMS students.
Dr. Grandin is a professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University, the author of several books, and was the subject of a 2010 feature film starring Claire Danes. The film depicts challenges faced by Dr. Grandin, who is known for her unique insights into humane livestock handling and animal behavior, in her early life and career. PMS students watched the film prior to developing questions for Dr. Grandin.
Some of the highlights of the wide-ranging conversation included details about visual thinking, benefits of different ways of seeing the world, and intriguing facts about Dr. Grandin’s unusual life.
"It was a wonderful learning opportunity to have Dr. Grandin share her life experiences with the staff and students at PMS," said PMS Special Education teacher Greg Koehler
Assistant Principal John McCann noted that seeing the film was eye-opening for some PMS students and it encouraged the students to formulate sophisticated questions for the Zoom session. “Dr. Grandin is a true success story. I think our students responded to her message of acceptance and were interested in her insights about different ways of looking at the world, " said Mr. McCann.
The idea to invite Dr. Grandin to discuss autism, science, and neurodiversity came from the PMS Equity Committee and was organized by Mr. Koehler.
Special thanks to Beth Murrin, Ebony Lattimer, Jen Simon, PollyJo Kassas, the Equity Committee, and the many PMS staff members who made this event possible.
Below: Autism Acceptance Month Bulletin Board at PMS featuring famous autistic people, including Dr. Grandin.
Below: Students Zoomed with Dr. Grandin from their PMS classrooms.
Below: Students participating in the Zoom in the Princeton Middle School Auditorium
Below: Mr. Gregory Koehler, Special Education Teacher - Autism
- District News