Watch Best Kept Secret

Best Kept Secret is a heart-wrenching documentary from 2013 that follows Janet Mino, a special education teacher in Newark, NJ, as she prepares her students for life after high school. Janet teaches at JFK High School, a public school that caters to students with intellectual disabilities. The film is directed by Samantha Buck and produced by Danielle DiGiacomo.

The film starts with Janet introducing us to some of her students, who are all close to graduating high school. We meet Erik, who dreams of joining the army and becoming a U.S. citizen, Rachel, who loves music and wants to pursue a career in it, and Quran, who wants to work with animals. We see Janet and her team working hard to get these students ready for the real world, teaching them how to cook, dress appropriately, and interact with others.

As we follow these students, we also see some of the challenges they face. Many of them come from low-income families and live in difficult circumstances. Some do not receive the support they need at home, and some struggle with addiction and mental illness. Janet and her team work tirelessly to support these students and help them overcome their obstacles.

One of the main themes of the film is the importance of transition planning for students with disabilities. Janet works closely with the students’ parents and other professionals to create Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) that outline the students’ goals and how they will achieve them. Once the students graduate, they will need to find jobs, housing, and support services on their own. Janet and her team want to make sure they are prepared for these challenges.

The film also highlights the need for better funding and resources for special education programs. There are only a few staff members at JFK High School who work with over 100 students with disabilities. The school is often overcrowded and lacks basic supplies like textbooks and computers. Janet and her team are constantly fundraising and advocating for more resources, but they struggle to make ends meet.

Throughout the film, we see the incredible bond that Janet has with her students. She is more than just a teacher to them; she is a mentor, a friend, and a mother figure. She goes above and beyond to support them, even taking them on trips to New York City and helping them get dressed up for prom. We see the impact that she has on their lives and how much they rely on her.

Overall, Best Kept Secret is a moving and powerful documentary that sheds light on the challenges faced by students with disabilities and the professionals who work with them. It is a testament to the resilience and strength of these students and the importance of providing them with the resources and support they need to succeed.

Best Kept Secret is a 2013 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received outstanding reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4 and a MetaScore of 100.