Julie Riccio – Special Education Teacher

Location: Islander Middle School’s self-contained classroom

Job Description: Julie teaches functional academics and life skills to middle school students with special needs. In addition to the core subjects like science, math, reading and writing, Julie teaches individualized social and life skills. Problem-solving, from helping students make friends to learning to count change at the grocery store to making healthy food choices, forms a big part of Julie’s objective: to help her students reach independence and become well-balanced individuals. In her classroom, Julie’s students find consistency in a safe and loving environment, where they are also held accountable.

Typical Day: Julie arrives at 7 a.m. and begins to organize the day, answer emails and meet with colleagues and parents. Her students arrive at 8:05 a.m. Julie works with a consistent group of students and others who come and go during the day. General education peer mentors join the class to model social skills, make friends and learn more about what it means to be a special need student.

Best part of the job: The authenticity of her special needs students. “Typically, adolescents become insecure during the middle school years. But my kids never go through that. One of my students does not like it when I wear my hair up, and he is not shy about telling me, either. But he’s quick to compliment when I wear my hair down! It’s never a dull moment around here, and we laugh a ton.”

Something people may not know: Julie practices meditation daily and is a member of a meditation group with the goal of promoting peace and stillness in life. She even incorporates simple meditation techniques in her classroom to help students de-stress and learn to love themselves. “All people perform better and are happier in life when they are happy with themselves.” Julie says.

Years worked in the district: 3 years. Prior to coming to Mercer Island, Julie taught special education in Boston’s public schools. She got her undergrad degree at Connecticut College, and her masters at Boston College.

Outside interests: Julie and her husband Cam live on Capital Hill with their extremely loving 11-month old Pit-Bull/Sharpei, Teddy. Due to Teddy’s recent leg surgery, Julie’s students ask daily for a ‘Teddy update.’ Though Teddy is currently out-of-commission, Julie continues to do what she loves— “to move. Like my students, I have a hard time sitting still.” So she bikes, swims, snowboards, rock climbs, runs, and plays soccer.