Clarkston student honored for kindness; teacher outlines LINC program and AAC use

Independence Elementary third-grader Joanna was recognized at the Jan. 12 Clarkston Community School District board meeting for repeatedly volunteering to spend lunch periods building friendships with students who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).

Kelly Allen introduced the recognition and invited Principal Nate Fuller and classroom staff to explain the classroom practice that led to the tribute. Teacher Miss Spencer described the school's LINC (Link) program as a longstanding, statewide model adapted at each building; at the elementary level the program typically brings three to four peers into a classroom during lunch or recess to build social connections. Miss Spencer said additional AAC devices were procured last year to support student communication.

"She is kind to all kids," Miss Spencer said of Joanna, adding that Joanna "chooses to spend her lunch periods building meaningful friendships with students with autism spectrum disorder." Representative Mike Harris read a written tribute from Lansing honoring Joanna for kindness and inclusive leadership.

Student representative Laura George asked how the LINC program operates; Miss Spencer explained that at the elementary level the timing differs from middle and high school and that peer volunteers typically visit once a week. Miss Spencer also described the classroom's approach to neurodiversity and sensory needs, saying, "So stimming, for anyone that doesn't know, is when someone with neurodivergence... taps your leg or anything to process information," and framing stimming as a positive, self-regulation strategy. She also stated during the meeting that "42 percent is how much kids with autism are processing more information than [a] typical brain," a numeric claim that was presented without a cited source.

What's next: the board presented Joanna and a peer a small token of recognition. The district will continue school-site LINC activities and bring remaining procurement and budget items (not related to this recognition) to upcoming workshops and meetings.

Quoted - "She is kind to all kids," Miss Spencer (level 3 classroom teacher). - "For a second year in a row, Joanna has chosen to spend her lunch periods building meaningful friendships with students with autism spectrum disorder," Representative Mike Harris (reading a Lansing tribute).