By: Me, age 6 Everyone keeps saying it’s almost time to see Santa. They say it like it’s fun. Like it’s sparkly and magical and full of jingle bells. And maybe it is—for other kids. But for me? Well… it’s kind of a lot. When …
So… What Is Adulting?
Okay, real talk — adulting sounds kinda scary, right? Bills, jobs, laundry that never ends?! But at the iCan Dream Center, we’re in a flurry of activity here today getting everything ready to flip the script! At tomorrow’s Adulting Conference, “adulting” means learning how to live your …
Falling Through the After High School Crack: Waiting to Be Found
An iCan Dream Center High School Alumni Reflects Life Six Months After Graduation My name is Martina. I graduated from my public high school in May after spending three semesters completing my high school credits at iCan Dream Center. Everyone keeps asking me what I’m …
Why Project-Based Learning Works Well for At-Risk Youth
Project-based learning gives students a reason to learn. For youth who have struggled in traditional classrooms — often because of learning differences, trauma, or negative past experiences — PBL offers something different: relevance, ownership, and success they can see and feel. Here’s why it’s so effective: Project-based learning …
Why the Office of Special Education Matters — and Why Its Future Gives Us Hope
When news broke that the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) was being impacted by federal shutdowns and layoffs, many of us who serve students with disabilities felt our hearts sink. For therapeutic schools like iCan Dream Center, this office isn’t just …