UCP BAILES CAMPUS: KINDERGARTEN DAYS Jennifer Lavallee kaojen@knights.ucf.edu November 17, 2011 EEX 4070

UCP: BAILES CAMPUS In 1955, in a small remodeled house on Colonial Drive, an idea and an organizations was born. 25 years later the program had a big jump to a bigger building and took off from there. With now 7 locations in Central Florida the program is booming. 23,000 children of all ages from infancy to 21 are in the programs at UCP

Engagement Activities While at UCP I spent all of my time in Ms. Devaney and Mrs. Gould’s Kindergarten class. I was engaging with the students at all times, helping with behavior, engaging students in lessons, and even teaching some lessons myself! I helped out in the classroom as well as in the cafeteria during lunch and during physical activity and P.E. I was an extra set of eyes, ears, and hands and acted as almost an assistant teacher. Being in class of more than 70% inclusion, I was engaging with students with disabilities at all times.

Participant Demographics In the class, student’s ages ranged from 5 to 7. Ethnic Backgrounds of the students included Caucasian, Hispanic, and African American. The exceptionalities of the students ranged from those with Down Syndrome, Autism spectrum disorders, to developmental delays and learning disabilities. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (I.D.E.A.): “Special education and related services should be designed to meet the unique learning needs of eligible children with disabilities, preschool through age 21.” “Students with disabilities should be prepared for further education, employment and independent living.”

Service in Action!

Perceptions of Differences Initial thoughts/feelings: I was originally very nervous about starting out my first time instructing and working with students with different types of exceptionalities. I was more scared of doing things wrong and affecting the students negatively with my lack of experience. I was interested in seeing the various types of instruction, modifications, and behavior management. I found my fears to be stamped out immediately. The moment I was in the classroom, things just fell right into place. I felt comfortable there within the first five minutes of class. While I am still learning various ways to instruct and manage students with and without disabilities, implementing lessons and behavior management was a lot simpler than I thought.

Perceptions of Differences cont. There was such an impact with after just one day working in their class, my second meeting I was asked to do some of the teaching. I felt as if I was more than just extra help. It really turned into service learning then. I got to witness students with learning disabilities comprehending the ideas and concepts I taught.

Connections to Your Course My Course: EEX4070 - 11 Course Topics: Inclusion: the approach in which students with disabilities are included in a general education classroom, with students without exceptionalities. Least Restrictive Environment: or a way in which to make the classrooms and the lessons accessible to all. All class items and materials were easily reached for everyone. Non verbal students had access to technology tools, and PECS. Co-Teaching: In the classroom I got to see co-teaching first hand. Ms. Devaney and Mrs. Gould taught the class together and it was great to see their dynamic.

Civic Engagement I have personally always been big on service learning, but this experience in particular made it a lot more than just “volunteering.” Civic engagement allows us to be more than just a neighbor, and become more of a community. Service-learning provides so much more content than what one would get out of a text or a lecture. It is learning in action! I am motivated to engage in service more in the future, even out of my classes. Everyone should embrace service learning!

Final Thoughts & Reflections You really need to get out there and interact with persons with disabilities to find greater understanding, empathy, and opportunities with them. I would encourage others to spend even just one day working with the kids and staff at any UCP campus. I will probably be going again. Teachers not only educate students, but they interact with the parents and outreach to the community. I have learned so much in such a small amount of time. It really has connected so many things from not only my EEX course, but that of my other courses. I can imagine all the things I can learn when I go there again soon.