Helping Students with Helping Students with DisabilitiesDisabilitiesName: Gaetane Wheeler Email: Gaetane@knights.ucf.eduClass: EEX 4070Date: April 2010

Reaction to the Service Reaction to the Service Learning ActivityLearning ActivityGoing into this activity I wasn’t really

sure what to expect. My group and I finally decided what we were going to do our project on, which was working with students that were from low-income. These students live in the forest and many of them drop out of school because working is unfortunately more important that finishing school. There is a program that allows students to go to do after school homework and activities. I was very excited to be working with students with disabilities.

Introduction to the SettingIntroduction to the Setting The group that we worked with was the Marion County Fire

Depmartment, which brought out the fire trucks and educated the students about fire and fire safety. The other group (the most important) was the Turning Point Mentor Center located in the forest. This is the place that the students meet after school to do homework and after-school activities.

My group and I spent a lot of time planning. We either meet at our houses/apartments or at local meeting places, like Panera Bread. The rest of the time was spent buying the necessary supplies and at the Turning Point Mentor Center.

Site/Community Site/Community DemographicsDemographics

Personal DemographicsPersonal DemographicsName: Gaetane WheelerEducation: Working on my major in Elementary

Education, and minor in Psychology. Graduation Date: Spring 2011Plans after Graduation: I either want to stay in

Marion county and teach, or move back home (Washington County, Fl) and teach were I grew up. I would like to teach grades Kindergarten thru 2nd. I am very excited about teaching

Soon-to-be Mother (Due Date of Dec. 8th)

Engagement ActivitiesEngagement ActivitiesMeetings:

◦ At our individual houses/apartments-discuss our plans and project

◦ Shop at Wal-Mart for snacks for the students

◦ Turning Point Mentor Center/Marion County Fire Department-hands on activities with student (was absent due to an emergency)

Team Members:◦ Gaetane Wheeler (myself)◦ Karlie Costello◦ Chelsea Cosimini◦ Brandon Whiteman

Participate DemographicsParticipate Demographics Age Range of Students: elementary to middle school

age Ethnic Backgrounds: White, Hispanic Combinations of both girls and boys Around 20 students were at the Turning Point center

the day that the activity was conducted.

Reflection of Your Reflection of Your ExperienceExperience How has this experience affected you?

◦ I think that this experience really opened my eyes to students that are from low income. There are many students that are not able to finish school because they have to get a job to help their family pay for their bills, and etc. Even the younger students have a hard time focusing on the work because they are worried about their family. This place is great for students because it gives them a place to focus directly on school. The staff are extremely friendly and are willing to help these students succeed in their education.

What experiences had the most impact?

◦ The people that are dedicated to help these students succeed in their education. This place was started by a husband and wife that wanted to help students. Unfortunately because I was not able to attend, I was not able to see the reactions of the students when the fire department showed up, but I’m sure that they were ecstatic

What will you take away from this experience?

◦ I will definitely this experience into consideration when I start teaching. I will have to remember that not all students have the privilege to go home and focus on only school. Some of these students have other responsibilities that may be more important than school. I will help to make extra time for these students so they do not fall behind in their education.

Your academic learning, approaches to teaching, and insights into working with persons with special needs were impacted through these experiences?

◦ I think that when working with students with specials needs that it is important that we make them feel like every other student in the class. I personally think if a student with a disorder is singled out, they will become more of a distraction. It is important for teachers to make lessons around students with disabilities so they are able to retain the necessary information better. I want the students in my classroom to be friendly to each other, even if they are all different.

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