UCP of Central Florida and Teachers in Action 3rd Annual Halloween Bash Fantasy Thomas fantasy_l_thomas@knights.ucf.edu 11/23/2011 EEX: Teaching Exceptional Students

Teachers in Action Teachers in Action (teachersinaction.org) is a federally funded organization that was established in 2009. Teachers in Action has a special partnership with UCF and UCP of Central Florida. This organization is designed to assist undergraduate education majors to become more engaged with meaningful service-learning activities with persons with disabilities. It involves 3,000 pre-service teachers and 15,000 persons with disabilities during the initial 3 year grant period. The UCP (United Cerebral Palsy) school is a tuition free public charter school. This school provides support, education, and therapy from infancy to 21 years old.

Engagement Activities The 3rd Annual Halloween Bash event was created to provide a safe and friendly environment for kids during this seasonal time. The event was held at UCP East Orange/Bailes campus. I was involved in donating candy for this event along with pre-planning through emails and online chatting. Also, I was available to set up for by decorating and making sure the games and prizes were ready to go. Online planning and chatting (planning) Thursday, Oct. 27th 4pm-6:30pm (planning and decorating) Friday, Oct. 28th 10am-3:00pm (decorating and planning) During, I worked the bag toss game for the night and interacted with guest to make sure they were having a great time. Afterward, I stayed to clean up the event as well. I fulfilled my entire 15 hours service-learning assignment with this event. Friday, Oct. 28th 3pm-9:00pm (event, clean-up)

Participant Demographics This event attracted over 300 guests with approx 150-200 persons with disabilities. Many of the participants attend the UCP school and they are persons with disabilities. Age range: Pre-school to adults Ethnic backgrounds: There was a great mix of many different ethnicities during this event including: Caucasian, African American, Asian American, Hispanic American and many more. Exceptionalities included but not limited to: Cerebral Palsy, cognitive, and physical disabilities. Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities represented from the attendants of the Halloween Bash have a physical disability in human development that affects various parts of body movement. There were also some attendants with cognitive disabilities as well. Under I.D.E.A. 2004,orthopedic impairment includes ‘…impairments that adversely affects a child’s educational performance. The term includes…impairments from (cerebral palsy, amputations, and fractures or burns that cause contractures).

Service in Action

Service in Action cont…

Initially, I was a little nervous about working with persons with disabilities. I’ve never directly worked with persons with disabilities and I didn’t know what to expect During the Halloween Bash event, I really enjoyed myself. I had a blast and by the end of the event, I felt comfortable being around persons with disabilities. I do understand that it takes patience and a love and understanding to work with persons with disabilities but that’s with education in general. Perceptions of Differences

Connections to Your Course I am enrolled in the UCF course EEX 4070: Teaching Exceptional Students One thing I better understand is that not only does orthopedic impairments or physical impairments interfere with student’s coordination and mobility, but it also affects communication and learning. During the Halloween Bash event I witnessed this disability first hand Being able to volunteer with persons with disabilities after reading and learning about it in the text book helps me to relate the information I’ve learned to real life experiences. Another concept that I more clearly understand is to treat all students with respect regardless of their disability. Thirdly, I realize that we should focus on the abilities of persons disabilities. This helps to foster self-esteem, strength, and acceptance. During the event, the child’s disability was not a factor, they just wanted to have fun. I now have a better understanding of persons with disabilities and the incorrect preconceived notions that I’ve had, have been corrected.

Civic Engagement Volunteering is very satisfying and self rewarding. This experience definitely motivated me to become more involved in activities with persons with disabilities. I would encourage teachers/students to embrace service-learning activities because not only does it make you feel good that you are volunteering but you learn a lot. It also exposes you to situations and experiences that you would not normally be exposed to.

Final Thoughts & Reflections Many people have preconceived notions about people with disabilities and those notions are mostly incorrect. I would encourage people to volunteer, if possible, with persons with disabilities. In doing so, I’m sure they will gain a greater understanding. Teachers play a big role in educating students, parents and their communities about topics other than academics. Teachers essentially teach almost everything from manners to how to build and keep social relationships. Teachers teach the world and that says a lot about how important teachers are to society.