AHS Spotlight S.T.E.P. Program

AHS spotlight S.T .E.P .

Program

If you have ever had a chance to see Coach Blake Dunham working in his element at Argyle High School, you would see someone passionate about making a difference in his students’ lives. Another thing that makes his job so special is that Blake is an Argyle ISD graduate and a former football player for the Argyle Eagles. Dunham has been working in the Special Education Department at Argyle High School since January of 2017. He started his career with the district as an Aide in the STEP class. While working as an Aide, he attended school to earn his teaching certification in Special Education. After earning his certification in the fall of 2018, he became the STEP class teacher at AHS.

Dunham is also the Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Line Coach for football and the Assistant Boys Soccer coach. Before coming to AHS, he worked as a restaurant manager for Radical Hospitality. Radical Hospitality concepts consist of LSA Burger, Barley & Board, Earl’s 377, Bumbershoot BBQ, Kimzey’s Coffee, and, most recently, St. Argyle’s. Blake graduated from the University of North Texas in 2014 with a Bachelor’s degree in Arts & Science and was a three-year letterman on the UNT football team. He met his wife, Maddie, at North Texas, and they married in June of 2017. Blake and Maddie have a son named Beckett, who will be two years old at the end of February. Their daughter, Birdie, is expected to arrive soon.

The STEP program at AHS is a transitional education plan for students, blending academics, social skills, and job training together to set students up for success after graduation. In addition to learning core subjects and electives, students have an opportunity to work on developing different strengths, skills, and building confidence towards furthering their education after high school and earning gainful employment.

“As we have all experienced, 2020 brought many new concerns and challenges. Unfortunately, some of this has limited our ability to do certain activities, trips, and community job instruction that we have done in the past. However, I’m very proud of how well our students have adapted to these changes. They still bring a wonderful attitude to school every day and work very hard. In addition to lessons and preparation for independent living and job training, our students still do a number of different activities and jobs throughout the building,” said Dunham.

The STEP class runs Argyle High School’s recycling program. Twice a week, students work together to manage the collection of recyclables from each teacher’s classroom at AHS. The class also makes weekly Sonic drink deliveries to staff members who like a treat on Friday. Students are responsible for collecting the teacher’s money, giving change if needed, and personally delivering the

photos courtesy of Michele Heyns

drinks to staff. “This is a great job skill for our students to get experience with handling money and also to practice their customer service skills and social steps of service upon delivery,” Dunham said. The STEP program students most recently researched a college of their choice, created digital presentations about the college, and then presented their project to their classmates.

Every week, the STEP students also help sort and deliver staff mail and are responsible for the raising and lowering of the school flags. “These kids look forward to doing their jobs throughout the building. They always do a great job working together and have smiles on their face,” Dunham said.

Dunham added, “I’m very grateful and appreciative of the time I have had working with these students. It’s my hope and goal that these kids can come to school every day and say that they had fun. They each have their own unique personalities, interests, and goals. I enjoy being a part of that room, embracing each other’s differences, encouraging students to be themselves, and working together to achieve those goals. We have a great department that tirelessly devotes its time to working with our kids. Our administration, principals, teachers, and specialists, including coaches Mandi Barnett and Ricky Griffin and Mrs. Michelle Heyns, Mrs. Theresa Locastro, Mrs. Stephanie Tisdale, and Mrs. Anna Wojciechowski, all play a huge role in the day to day experience and success of our classroom,” Dunham said.

Argyle ISD would like to thank The Design House for being a supporting Eagle Partner in helping to provide funds for the STEP Program and Life Skill Classes at AHS.