Substitute urges Woodbridge district to address stigma of 'special ed'; superintendent offers follow-up

At the June 12 Woodbridge Township Board of Education meeting, substitute teacher Judy Trobeliger urged district leaders to address how students perceive special education, saying pupils often feel stigmatized and are bullied because of the classroom label.

"The students are quite often saddened by the fact that it's called special ed," Trobeliger said during public comment, and she told the board students reported being "called the r word" and told they were "stupid." Trobeliger said some students told her that teachers write the words "special ed" on the board when assigning work and that students are afraid to ask for changes.

Dr. Massimino, the district superintendent, responded by asking Trobeliger to leave her contact information and offered a follow-up conversation. He said the district has many resources — including the director of special services, student access and engagement staff, and counseling supervisors — and described a layered approach to support. "I would appreciate if you would leave your information," he said, and he committed to reach out the following week to discuss next steps.

Trobeliger asked the board to consider changes that would help students feel "heard and not just ... tossed in there," while noting that she did not expect an immediate districtwide renaming of special education programs. In his reply the superintendent emphasized that substitutes and anyone working with students are part of the support network, saying, "When you're in our school, you're an educator. So please don't ever diminish the role you play."

No formal board action was taken; the exchange was part of the public comment period. The superintendent's offer of direct follow-up signals an administrative review and potential local interventions to address student perceptions, training, and communication practices in classrooms.