This semester I have been given the absolute privilege of volunteering at the Regina branch for Special Olympics Bowling. My given title is as an assistant coach through the program; my position entitles me as a motivator, supporter and companion as well as, a rule keeper, score keeper and overseer. My initial volunteer experience was this past weekend, September 30th, 2017. I volunteered during the afternoon, totaling four hours. These volunteer hours have taught me:
- Patience
- Variation in the degree of skill/ability levels of all individuals
- Every participant/ person is worthy of our time and effort; there’s never a disability that defines an individual as ‘useless’ or ‘unable’
Personal Connections:
- I have prior experience working with a child with special needs through my previous employment at a daycare. This particular child was diagnosed with a physical, as well as a mental disability; I worked as an aid in order to build a personal connection with him. This personal connection allowed for an improvement in confidence, trust and compassion. I truly believe that we, as educators, must gain a personal connection with ALL students in order for us to make a positive impact on thier lives. This may mean that you must go out of your way in order to find a common ground, or a common interest. Regarding my connection with this particular child, I learnt about and began to understand the world of “Pokemon” in order for us to have discussions that he was not only interested in, but could easily engage himself with. This, in return, taught him valuable and irreplaceable communication skills which he can carry through to different situations.
- I decided to volunteer with the Regina branch of Special Olympics Bowling because this organization is dear to my heart. My boyfriend’s brother is autistic; throughout the past few years I have had the opportunity and pleasure to interact, engage and communicate with him. He, as part of a social communication aspect, has been working with a mentor who has taken him to various activities such as special olympics bowling. He has told me personally, that this activity is one of his favorite pastimes as it allows him to work independently in a social environment. His social skills, as well as his confidence, have improved greatly through this, and many other, organizations. I believe that special olympics bowling, and other organizations catered to individuals with special needs are essential for our communities.
Question:
How can I, as an educator, learn to adapt my teaching in order to benefit and enhance the education of EVERY student; furthermore, what resources are available to me?
Teaching Portfolio 
In regards to your question I believe that to be able to adapt your teachings to all students you need to have a better understanding of your students. Like you found out with learning about Pokémon, if you can find a way to relate to them you can find out more about them. This includes their learning styles. If you can use your findings to make the teachings more relatable it will keep the students interested. Resources are something that I do not know much about either for this topic.
I’m glad you’re enjoying your volunteer hours with the special Olympics. I think it is important for all educators to work with and experience being with youth that are physically or mentally disabled. While we may not all have a student that falls into those categories in the future, it is beneficial to have those experiences and grow as an educator. It tests patience and resourcefulness.
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