Family Mentorship Program (Spring 2017) In the spring of 2017 I was fortunate enough to participate in the family mentorship experience through the University of Mary. I worked with an occupational therapy student and we worked with an 8 year old boy who is diagnosed with Autism. My partner and I were able to go into the family's home, ask questions, and observe what the home life of a child with Autism might look like. We were also able to take the boy and is family to SkyZone. Through this program I learned more about Autism then I would in a classroom, especially about all the resources that the Bismarck community offers for children with Autism and their families. The family mentorship experience let me learn about the side of special education that I might not be aware of outside of the school setting.
Special Education Practicum In the spring of 2017 I completed my special education practicum at Centennial Elementary with Mrs. Melissa Olson. I experienced diversity of all the students with disabilities and the different strategies that teachers use. There was diversity in the classroom, more than I ever imagined. Mrs. Olson taught me so much during my practicum experience, but my biggest take away from it all is that it is all about the little things and patience.
Block II Practicum I grew up in a town 6 miles away from a reservation. I had family that went to school on the reservation, I grew up very privileged compared to most people from my area. I knew people who didn't have a home or food to eat. School was their safe place. The parents were not involved in their education and the students had bad behavior because that is all they are used to. My practicum was at Liberty Elementary in Bismarck and it is a fairly new part of town. The week I was there, I could tell just how involved the parents were in the students education. There were not continuous bad behaviors and parents were involved. It was all just a different atmosphere than what I was used to growing up.