When he began his teaching career in 1966, Howard Webster was Clarkston High School’s only special education teacher.
Now he supervises 15 special education teachers as chairman of the high school special education department, and he works directly with about 25 students in a quest to help them excel.
‘What makes special education so interesting is the variety,? Webster said. ‘I’m not teaching the same history lesson hour after hour. It’s a nice variety, and it changes from day to day. That’s the biggest plus as far as I’m concerned.?
Not counting students in the autistic program, there are about 265 special education students at CHS. Each special education teacher has students in a ‘support hour? to help with special learning needs. Webster’s group is a bit different in that the students must come to him when they need help.
‘It’s their responsibility to see me when they need those things taken care of,? he said. ‘If they’re not on task and organized, sometimes I’ll intervene.?
Webster has seen many changes through the years. In 1966, the students were with him most of the day and he taught all the academic subjects. He appreciates the modern emphasis on ‘mainstreaming? and ‘inclusion? and has contact with many school administrators, teachers and parents to help in the task.
While some students may have learning disabilities in some subjects, they benefit from being with other students.
‘Inclusion means you’re going to include all kids in all programs,? he said, and the benefit works the other way, too.
‘Kids in Clarkston have grown up with autistic kids, and they are very accepting of all disabilities. They take it for granted they’re going to be there. It’s never an issue,? he said. ‘Special ed through the years is no longer the stigma it used to be. Kids now are asking, ‘What can I do to get the help Johnny is getting???
Webster sees many of his students as bound for college, and seeks ‘extended time? ACT tests for those who can qualify.
‘It’s a great accommodation,? he said. ‘It can make a great difference, because once you take away that time factor some of the kids come up with some great scores.?
The growth of Clarkston’s special education program can be attributed, in part, to the increase in state and federal mandates, but also because people move into the district to take advantage of the Clarkston program. The team is involved in regular evaluation of students to determine who needs special help.
‘We’re still in an ongoing testing program. We still test and certify kids in the high school.?
The Eastern Michigan University graduate has spent his entire career in Clarkston schools. He and his wife, Carole (a paraprofessional at Sashabaw Middle School), still live in the house they built in 1972.
He admits that’s a bit odd, given his family’s background. Born in England, Webster moved with his family to the Detroit area at age 7. When he was 10, his father took the family back to England, but they returned to the States when he was 12.
His father is now 89 and ‘He still hasn’t settled down.?
The younger Webster, however, was attracted to the Clarkston area by a brochure and never left.
‘I saw the scenery and the lakes and thought, ‘This is kind of nice.??
Both the community and the job have kept him content over the years, despite the potential for burnout of special ed teachers.
‘I guess I enjoyed it all the way through, and I’ve enjoyed the variety of things that have taken place along the way,? he said. ‘In fact, I probably wouldn’t have retired this year if they hadn’t offered the severance package.?
While he and his wife will both accept the district’s financial incentive for early retirement, he plans to stay involved in at least a couple local exploits. For several years, he has coordinated staff for varsity football games and both boys and girls basketball games, and he anticipates keeping that job.
Webster has also enjoyed summer work at the Pine Knob Golf Course, and has coordinated an end-of-school-year tournament for staff.
As for his own prowess on the links? ‘I play the game. I love the game. I find the golf game very exciting and enjoyable to play, but I also find it very frustrating as most golfers do,? he said. ‘The score at the end is not necessarily what brings you back.?
He believes he is ‘decent? at tennis, however.
The Websters are proud of their two daughters (both Clarkston graduates) and of students they have helped over the years.
‘You always build on your successes,? he said. ‘You don’t always succeed; you don’t get every kid to be successful. But the nice thing is when you see some of these kids come back and talk to you years later after they’ve been married a few years and you see how successful they’ve been. It’s great to see that.?
Even with that reflection, he finds it hard to believe he has the most seniority among Clarkston teachers.
‘It’s just amazing,? he said. ‘It doesn’t seem that long ago.?