At ten years old, Ekjot is already showing those around him just how intelligent, observant, and capable he truly is. Ekjot approaches each school day with curiosity, determination, and an impressive ability to solve problems—especially when it comes to math, while communicating using an assistive device.
Since Special Education Teacher Gracie Stelline began working with Ekjot in September 2025, she has seen remarkable growth in his independence. Early on, the classroom team spent time helping Ekjot explain the steps involved in solving math problems. But it quickly became clear that Ekjot’s mind was working faster—often processing the problems internally and arriving at the correct answer without needing to show each step along the way.
One proud moment came when Ekjot used multiplication cards for the first time and demonstrated that he could solve the problems in his head. Today, he continues building on those strengths as he works on more advanced concepts like multiplication and division, setting daily goals such as solving a set number of problems to sharpen his skills.
Ekjot is also known for being incredibly time-oriented. He keeps track of his daily schedule, from knowing when it’s time to switch activities to when lunch is approaching. While he continues to practice flexibility, his teachers say he has made tremendous progress in accepting corrections and adapting to new materials and topics.
Speech Language Pathologist Danielle Murphy has worked with Ekjot since 2021, when he transitioned from preschool. Over the years, she has watched him grow from using simple symbols to navigating one of the more complex assistive communication programs available. If Ekjot isn’t sure how to find a word on his device, he will search for it and then return to the home screen to navigate the correct pathway—demonstrating both persistence and problem-solving.
“He’s incredibly clever and has a great sense of humor,” Danielle shares. “Ekjot reminds us to never underestimate the potential of students—they will always show how amazing they are.”
In the classroom, Ekjot benefits from a strong and supportive team that includes teachers, occupational and speech therapists, classroom staff, and his family. His parents are deeply involved in his learning and work closely with the school to create an environment where he can thrive.
Certified Teaching Assistant A’nna Hunt works closely with Ekjot each day and understands the strategies that help him succeed—whether it’s encouraging deep breaths when he feels frustrated or supporting the reward system he responds well to, such as earning checkmarks for completing tasks and working toward a well-earned break.
Ekjot’s goals continue to focus on building his skills in math, reading comprehension, writing, and computer typing, while also strengthening his confidence and self-regulation. His teachers are working toward increasing his independence over time, helping him take even more ownership of his learning.
When asked what he enjoys most about school, Ekjot shared a few of his favorites: going swimming in the pool, reading—especially the Dog Man series by Dav Pilkey—and, of course, solving math problems. Division is currently at the top of his list.
For Ekjot, the future is full of possibilities—and if there’s one thing his teachers want others to understand, it’s this: when given the opportunity to shine, Ekjot shows just how capable he truly is.