Special Ed. teachers impart “life skills”
For most students this is the last week of school before the Christmas holidays. But News 5’s Ann-Marie Williams found out this morning that as the semester winds down, a group of teachers is gearing up.
Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting
If there’s any truth to the old teacher’s maxim that eighty-five percent of what students learn happen outside of the classroom, then students with special needs stand to score high marks with the introduction of a new curriculum. The new curriculum, known as LCCE, Life Centred Career Education, aims to prepare students for the world of work whether in the home, community or on the job. This concept is being applied at a two-day workshop in Belize City.
Sharon August is the co-ordinator of the Special Education Unit of the Ministry of Education.
Sharon August, Co-ordinator, Special Education Unit
“The curriculum focuses on three areas: daily living skills getting the students to learn to take care of themselves, their home, their environment, to get around in their community whether by bus, walking or taxi. The second part is on personal/social skills, getting the students the skills that will make them more accepted within the community: how to keep friendships, how to relate with people. The last part is on occupational preparation. The students are introduced to different areas of work, different job sites, to go in and see what is done on these sites, maybe to get training with some of these places. Then if they so wish to continue, they can go on to CET or get a job in their trained area.”
Teachers demonstrated how that real life experience would be passed on when they were given a group activity. The task at hand for this group is to use the city bus to get from point A to point B.
Erlette Thomas who teaches at Stella Maris School gave the Life Centered Career Education curriculum a gold star.
Erlette Thomas, Teacher, Stella Maris School
?When we use this plan, we help our students to better function independently in the society. This plan is helping us not to focus on academic so much, that we must focus on what the child can do or will be able to do out in the society.?
And although this UNICEF sponsored event is specifically for teachers in special needs schools, a handful of regular school teachers were also invited. They too have some students who are blind, deaf and mentally retarded and will need the necessary skills to help their students learn. The challenge becomes even greater when the teacher is also deaf.
Andre Macool, Academy for the Deaf
?I will prepare to teach the students by teaching how to practice job training and how to interview for a job to prepare in the real world.?
Julie-Ann Williams, Teacher, Punta Gorda Methodist
?They can integrate the regular subject areas like reading, math and spelling in what they will be doing as part of their life skills training. For example if they want to make a shelf or a cupboard they could use measurements in that and it will be more fun instead of just sitting behind a desk and learning the regular subjects.?
Erlette Thomas
?We have some children who are mentally retarded and we know for a fact all they will be able to do is to put on their clothes properly, shoes, tie their laces and feed themselves. The LCCE will help them and help us to teach them how they can do that independently.?
Ann-Marie Williams
“It is hoped that with the introduction of a new curriculum and special sessions like these, students with special needs all over the country will be given a handicap on Life Centred Career Education. Reporting from the two-day special education workshop at NDFB’s building in Belize City, Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.”
