Teacher’s In Action Project:Easter Seals

Kelly McCourt

M_kelly@knights.ucf.edu

April 23, 2010

EEX 4070

Early PerceptionsGoing into the Teacher’s In Action Service Learning Project, I initially felt a bit nervous because I have never actually worked with children who have disabilities of any sort. Upon completion of the “Understanding Differences” module, I was able to see people with disabilities are just as successful as people without disabilities. They cannot be underestimated. The module encouraged me to go into the Service Learning Project with the Easer Seals Program with a positive attitude!

Introduction to the Easter Seals Program

Easter Seals is located in Daytona Beach, FL, and has been around for about 85

years. It is a successful non-profit organization that

provides services for people with disabilities of all ages.

The organization provides needs for people with disabilities, such

as: pre-school, audiology, occupational therapy, and

physical therapy. Easter Seals also offers help and support to

families of children with disabilities.

Introduction to Respite Care

The program that I was involved with was the Respite Care program, in which parents are able to leave their children at Easter Seals with trusted

volunteers on Fridays and Saturdays, so that they can essentially take time to relax. The program was started by the Minotti family, after their

son, Joey, who had Down Syndrome, died in a group home because of negligence. They started the program so that families would not become overwhelmed with the responsibilities they take when caring for their

children with disabilities. The Respite Care program is known as “Joey’s Gift.”

Demographics

Respite Care Program

Demographics

Includes Children from ages 0-18.

The program includes many exciting hands-on activities. The program is carefully planned according to the

needs of all the children.

Children with disabilities of all kinds are welcome,

including siblings who do not have disabilities.

Volunteers are thoroughly screened and trusted. The volunteer children ratio is

1:3.

Personal Demographics

About Me

My name is Kelly McCourt, and I am 21 years-old. I was born in New York and raised in Boca Raton, FL. I have a

twin sister and younger brother.

I plan to minor in Exceptional Educational because I am very interested in working with both mainstream and special needs students.

I am currently a Junior at the University of Central Florida, and I will graduate next year with my Bachelor’s degree in

Elementary Education.

I love working with children. I have volunteered in preschools since I was 12

years-old. I also worked at an on-site preschool in high school, which is how I

decided that I wanted to teach.

Personal Demographics

Picture of me

This is a picture of

me teaching my first

lesson last semester to a 2nd

grade class.

My brother, sister, and

me.

Engagement Activities I spent a total of 15 hours volunteering with the Easter Seals program. I worked with 10 students, 8 of which had special needs. 3 of the 15 hours were spent doing an introduction to the site, planning, and orientation. The remaining 12 hours were spent working with the 10 students, whose ages range from 5-7 years of age. Activities I did with the students include: playing in the house keeping center, building blocks and legos, watching movies, doing arts & crafts, riding bikes, and playing on the playground.

Engagement Activities

Engagement Activities

Participant Demographics

Participants

Ten children were worked with all together.

Disabilities:

3 had speech impairments, 1 had Cerebral Palsy, 2 had Severe Autism, 1 had Down Syndrome, 1 had a learning disability, and the other 2 were siblings

Age Range: 5-7 years of age

8 of the 10 children were boys

2 of the 10 children were girls

Participant Demographics

Participant Demographics

Reflection

This experience has truly made me want to continue working with children of special needs. I learned that each child is capable of anything, regardless of his or her disabilities. It was an eye-opening experience working with children with various disabilities, which ranged from mild to severe. The most impacting experience was actually interacting with all the children. Some children were more welcoming, while others seemed a bit guarded. Once the children got used to my presence, they opened up more. It made me feel great when the children gave me hugs and thanked me for playing with them throughout the days. It seemed like they did not want me to leave!

Also, through this experience I was able to learn how to handle teaching children with special needs. Through the experience and from the advice of fellow volunteers, I learned that it is essential to make accommodations for each and every child that requires it. I thoroughly enjoyed my Service Learning Experience. I will take everything I learned and apply it to my curriculum when I start my teaching career!

Reflection