Wish Book: The Independence Networks gives adult students with disabilities the opportunity to become the teacher

"In a portable classroom on the Santa Clara Adult Education campus, Abraham Leza prepares to teach his weekly class just after the Friday lunch hour. He pulls on a black T-shirt embossed with a drawing of a boombox before placing a gold chain around his neck. He makes his way to the head of the classroom, where atop a desk sits a turntable plugged into a laptop, and begins "scratching" out a beat as students file in."

"A part of Santa Clara Unified School District's adult education program, the Independence Network for the last three decades has catered to individuals with a wide range of intellectual and developmental disabilities including autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. The program offers a variety of life skills and vocational classes like cooking, sewing and adaptive fitness. And, in October 2024, the Independence Network kicked off a new initiative that allows students like Leza to teach a weekly class in an area that interests them."

Abraham Leza teaches a weekly DJ class at the Independence Network, transforming from student to instructor while using turntables and a laptop to lead dancing classmates. The class environment features disco balls and light sticks, creating an energized learning and social space. The Independence Network operates within Santa Clara Unified School District adult education and has served people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for about three decades. The program offers life skills and vocational courses such as cooking, sewing, and adaptive fitness. In October 2024 the initiative began allowing students to teach classes based on personal interests, and the program seeks donations through Wish Book for supplies.

Read at The Mercury News