TIA Due mid Nov.

Hillcrest School : 

Jessica Wilkes jessica.wilkes@knights.ucf.edu November 20, 2010 EEX 4070 Hillcrest School

Slide 2: 

3143 SE 17th Street Ocala, FL 34471 Marion county public school system acquired Hillcrest in 1971. In 1981, Hillcrest started a program for students with autism. Mission: Hillcrest School will provide quality training and services for special needs children and families. This school is a small community compared to traditional schools for grades 6-12. There are only about nine students per class.

Engagement Activities : 

Every community of teachers and students need extra help. This is especially true for students with disabilities. Every Wednesday, for about 8 weeks, I joined the students at PE, breakfast, workshop and lunch. Usually, I was there from 9:30 until noon. Since I am majoring in elementary education, I wanted to devote myself to the education of persons with disabilities. With a little help, I found Hillcrest school. They welcomed me with open arms. Engagement Activities

Participant Demographics : 

I worked with nine, 6th and 7th grade students. I.D.E.A. basis Learning disabilities Language impairment Traumatic brain injury Health impaired. Participant Demographics

Workshop Activities : 

Workshop Activities

Classroom Modification Tools : 

Classroom Modification Tools

The Girls : 

The Girls Traumatic Brain Injury Graves Disease Intellectual Disability

Slide 8: 

The Boys Occupational Therapy Language Impaired Intellectual Disability ADHD Intellectual Disability

Slide 9: 

Cerebral Palsy Brain Tumor Silly Personality Another Student (not pictured) Physical Therapy Seizure Disorder

Perceptions of Differences : 

Perceptions of Differences Excited Lost Honored Welcomed

Connections to EEX 4070 : 

Three course topics I better understand now. The importance of early intervention programs. Early intervention programs can give persons with disabilities and their families better understanding. Also, children have the aid needed at an early age to help level the playing field. The importance of accommodations. For many of the students I worked with, attending a general education school was no longer an option. Several would get trampled in the halls and teased in the general education middle school. How to accommodate students with disabilities. While working with these students, I was able to discuss and see many forms of accommodations. When I am a teacher, I will use this experience to better help my students with disabilities. Connections to EEX 4070

Civic Engagement : 

Being involved in the community is one of the best things anyone can do . To benefit others is to benefit yourself. The persons with disabilities form a bond with the volunteer and often times this bond helps bring out hidden potential. Service-learning is great! I have learned so much through this experience and my hours in the general education school. Seeing is truly a better way of learning. My experiences in the schools have done nothing but confirm my decision to go into education. This project has inspired me to be involved with students with disabilities. Throughout the rest of my college education, I will make time to visit Hillcrest. Everyone should embrace service-learning, it is a great experience for everyone involved. Civic Engagement

Final Thoughts : 

This was a great experience, I look forward to creating similar experiences in the future. These students will always have a part of my heart and I will never forget my time with them. Final Thoughts