Professional Development

2008 Heartspring Award for Innovation and Creativity in Special Education

Kevin Crosby, Bakersfield, CA

Kevin Crosby

For me, the experience exceeded my expectations on so many levels. I think all of us were forever changed.

Kevin Crosby is a special education teacher of severely handicapped students in grades 2-6 in Bakersfield, California. These students need many accommodations, and Kevin has implemented some great ideas and projects to help all of his students learn. Innovative adaptations with very limited resources are his specialty.

One such project is a solar garden within a greenhouse setting with the assistance of a small grant from Pacific Gas and Electric. This activity has provided his students with an outdoor classroom where they can learn about different vegetables, dissect plants to see their inner components, carve out pumpkins they’ve grown, and create edible products like a vegetable salad or salsa. This solar garden also provides students with a hands-on science experience.

Kevin has started the Sunrise Coffee Company, a coffee shop for his students to learn vocational, academic, social, and communications skills. His school is surrounded by working fields, and there are no alternative services for 3 miles. Staff appreciate the Starbucks quality hot and cold drinks. Students who may need extra assistance can follow picture menus with step-by-step instructions. Students are taught to greet the customer, take money, make and deliver drinks, and complete the transaction with good customer service and a “thank you”.

Kevin has developed a computer lab for students with special needs with a grant he received from Best Buy. He hopes that with the assistance of these computers, as well as other pieces of technology, his students will gain computer literacy skills that can eventually lead to gainful employment.

Kevin continually thinks outside of the box to create programs that can help his special education students learn, enjoy and increase their independence throughout the learning process.