Connor Cushman, right, stands next to George Shabo, Loranger Middle School band director, who is conducting the band members during a rehearsal. Connor enjoys learning by doing and is known for his helpfulness.

Connor Cushman follows a program, designed by special education teacher Catherine Wood and ed tech Erin Dupee, that enables him to learn by doing various jobs around the school. His teachers say that the program keeps him busy, calm and focused.

From left, students Nicholas Watkins, Graeme Bock, Jonathan Raisen and Connor Cushman share a laugh during gym class at Old Orchard Beach High School.

Senior Zach Seamans, right, walks down a hall with Connor Cushman, center, at Old Orchard Beach High School. Seamans, who has befriended Cushman, says it’s the older “regular ed” students who set the example of building relationships with “special ed” students from one year to the next.

Jonathan Raisen, right, has lunch nearly every day with friends, from left, Connor Leask, Mansoor Rasa and Andrew Graves, at Old Orchard Beach High School. “These kids have adopted Jonathan, truly just made him feel wanted and like he belongs,” says his mother.

Special education teacher Catherine Wood conducts a life skills class with students Nicholas Watkins, right, and Connor Cushman, foreground, at Old Orchard Beach High School.