I teach a class of behavioral Special Education students. This means I work with student’s who were dealt a difficult hand in life. Some have been through things that adults would have a difficult time processing. When these students come to me, we greet them knowing that every student is a wonderful kid that deserves the opportunity to make a real connection with adults in order to be successful in life.
Most students that come into my program live in single parent homes, with a Grandparent or are foster kids.
They do not get the opportunity to have experiences like an average kid. Just this year we offered them an opportunity to carve jack-o-lanterns. Only one of my students had ever carved one. They had no idea what they were doing but they had fun anyway.
I would like to bring this same joy to the all of my students on a more consistent basis; letting them experience some of the things that many of us take for granted. I want them to realize there is more to life than their negative experiences and that there are things out in the “real world” that can make them happy.
My Project
My class works because we build relationships with the students. There are numerous educational research studies that state strong teacher-student relationships improves practically everything a school measures-behavior, productivity, engagement, etc. In order to continue to build relationships that branch outside the walls of the school, I would like to take my students bowling.
I want to give my students the opportunity to participate in things other students may take for granted.
I want to take them bowling to show them appropriate fun-how to win and lose gracefully and to learn that the fun being had is the most important part.
Finally, I want show their parents the school cares enough for their kids to give them this unique opportunity. This will build relationships between myself and the parents/students.
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