teachers in action: serving personal and academic needs

Teachers in Action: Serving Personal and Academic Needs:

Teachers in Action: Serving Personal and Academic Needs Lia D’Aprile ldaprile@knights.ucf.edu 07/25/2011 EEX 4070

United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida:

United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida History -50 years ago -Simple goal: offering hope to kids -1980: Jack Holloway and some friends moved from small house to larger facility on Orange Avenue. Services to children were expanded. -1990: UCP expanded locations Mission: “We are the experts for children with special needs. By providing support, education, and therapy, we offer hope to everyone touched by a disability.” (ucpcfl.org) 6 locations Programs -Summer VPK -Infants and Toddlers -Before and After -Summer Connections -Preschool to Pre-K Extended Care -Summer Enrichment -K-3 -Inclusion -Excellent Summer Adventure -Middle and High School -Arts and -Shakespeare with Heart -College Transition Technology

Bishop Grady Villas:

Bishop Grady Villas Mission: Support persons with disabilities to use God-Given gifts to achieve greater independence, physical and emotional well-being, and spiritual growth. Location: 401 Bishop Grady Court Saint Cloud, FL 34769 (407)892-6078 Programs -Job coach -Gardening -Woodshop -ADT (adult day training) -Individual Service Plan Challenges -Getting involved in community -Working with unknown information about new residents

Engagement Activities: UCP of Central Florida:

Engagement Activities: UCP of Central Florida Community Need: Connect academic learning to societal issues Activities: -Centers -Snack time -Play -Recess -Lunch -Nap time July 6 th : 8AM-Noon

Engagement Activities: Bishop Grady Villas:

Engagement Activities: Bishop Grady Villas Community need: Personal Development Activities: Gardening Woodshop Good-bye party Class Volunteered weekly between weeks of July 7 th -July 21 st

Participant Demographics: UCP of Central Florida:

Participant Demographics: UCP of Central Florida Approximately 15 students served Age: Pre-K Ethnic Background: Caucasian, Hispanic, African-American Exceptionalities: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Emotional Disorders, Behavioral Disorders, Gifted

Participant Demographics: Bishop Grady Villas:

Participant Demographics: Bishop Grady Villas 48 residents, 15 job coaching (outside living facility) All residents served intermittently Equal ratio of males and females Age range of residents: early 20’s-late 60’s Background: Caucasian, Hispanic (Latino), African-American, South African (British) Linguistic Heritage: Standard American English, Spanish Majority of citizens not applicable for services under IDEA because they do not meet age requirements.

Service in Action: UCP of Central Florida:

Service in Action: UCP of Central Florida

Service in Action: Bishop Grady Villas:

Service in Action: Bishop Grady Villas

Perceptions of Differences:

Perceptions of Differences My initial thoughts and feelings about service learning were indifferent. Presently, I feel more inclined to working with students or people with disabilities. The experience that had the most impact on me and on others were my lessons on health.

Connections to Your Course:

Connections to Your Course Course Enrolled: EEX 4070 Three course topics I understand better are emotional and behavior disorders, intellectual disabilities, and learning disabilities better. Kinesthetic learning

Civic Engagement:

Civic Engagement My perspective on civic engagement and volunteerism has changed from being a liberty to a necessity. Civic engagement for all citizens serves a personal and community need. Service-learning=kinesthetic

Final Thoughts & Reflections:

Final Thoughts & Reflections Research upon personal interest=integral! Teachers=social and personal responsibility about relevant experience. Educator=vehicles of empowerment