Feb. 23, 2026 – Every afternoon at Landmark Middle School, you'll find about a dozen students gathered inside Tashina Potts’ classroom. They’re all part of the school’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) Program, a space where students learn, grow, and build skills together.
“It’s like our family time,” said Potts, the school’s DHH teacher.
Team Duval supports more than 300 DHH students across the district, with a majority learning in general education settings. Landmark Middle School is one of several site-based programs with higher DHH student populations, along with Central Riverside Elementary, Waterleaf Elementary, Joseph Stilwell Middle, Atlantic Coast High, and Ed White High.
“It supports my education and the communication I need at home,” said Melvin Oller-Lima, a seventh grader who is 30% deaf in both ears.
Students who don’t attend one of the district’s site-based programs are served by itinerant teachers and staff. All DHH students have gone through a state-mandated evaluation process and receive support tailored to their unique needs.
“It makes me feel really good,” said Lilliana Moore, a Landmark student unable to hear out of her left ear. “The fact that you can get (this support) provided to you, and you don’t have to go extra lengths for it, is really good.”
For some DHH students, assistance looks like having an American Sign Language (ASL)/English Interpreter accompany them to all of their classes.
“We’re providing that language access, and we’re providing access to the content in the way that only we can provide,” said Erin Kyle, an interpreter at Landmark. “You just kind of see the light on their face shine when they finally get something and connect, so that's a really special part of my job.”
DHH students with more significant needs receive instruction through self-contained settings, which include Participatory and Supported Level Academics (PLA and SLA). In the end, students say knowing they have the backing of the school district makes them feel valued and supported.
“It’s like having a second friend,” said Oller Lima. “It just helps me.”
“It’s really about building the connection, seeing them grow, and seeing them feel more comfortable in the school setting,” added Kyle.