Feb. Teacher of the Month: John Wright, Peck Elementary

Name: John Wright

Occupation: Special education teacher,

Years at school: Eight years at Peck, 32 total as a special education teacher

Accomplishment: Students at Peck Elementary will use technology to improve their reading and writing skills thanks to a $7,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the telecommunications company, the announced.

The grant will support a program called Individualized Computer Assisted Learning, which will target 13 students with intellectual disabilities in the classroom of Wright, a veteran San Juan Unified educator who wrote the grant proposal, district officials announced.

When the project is up and running, Wright’s students will use personalized computer activities to increase reading comprehension, such as following simple instructions like recipes.

Reading lessons also will incorporate customizable pictures, photographs and other visuals as students learn to read about activities that affect them daily.

"We've been able to buy specialized software and updated computers as well as worksheets students can use on those computers," Wright told Carmichael Patch. "There's also a verbal component to the system which students can access more independently."

Personal: Lives in Folsom

What he likes most about the school community: "What I like about the Peck community is that they are very accepting of my students."

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The San Juan Unified School District contributed to this report.