With 1,700 students, Columbine is a big school, but thanks to a new program the high school’s special needs students won’t be lost in the shuffle. The Challenge Program was started two years ago by Robin Ortiz. Already it has helped nine profoundly disabled young people to learn, get jobs, interact with other students and make the most of their high school years.

He says his students love interacting with the community, especially the other students at Columbine. And that’s reciprocated by the mainstream students at the school. They volunteer in droves to serve as “student assistants” in the program. “It’s the most amazing part of my day,” said one student assistant. “I love coming in everyday and seeing their smiles. It’s neat to be able to help them and see them improve. We watch them grow as the year goes on.”

Mr. Ortiz says the interaction not only helps his special needs students, but also the student volunteers. “The student assistants learn compassion, patience, but more importantly they learn a little bit about themselves. They learn that their lives are pretty good and even on their worst days, their toughest days, it’s a lot better than the adversity the kids in our classroom face.”

Teaching special needs children isn’t easy—but Robin says they’ve certainly been a blessing in his life. “They’re such special people. We get so much from these kids. They just have this great passion for life.”

Please join 9NEWS, CollegeInvest and Metropolitan State College in congratulating Robin Ortiz, the March 2007 9Teacher Who Cares.

Mr. Ortiz will receive a $900 check and will be featured on 9NEWS on Thursday March 8th during 9NEWS 6 a.m. and again on Saturday March 10th during 9NEWS Saturday morning.