FAMILY ARTS WELLNESS
ART BALTIMORE WITH A CITY HEART PUBLIC SCHOOLS - Intern SPECIAL : Liesel EDUCATION Arauz Vallecillo
Supervisor Peer Mentor : Nadia : Koye West Oputa Supervisor : Annabelle Bacordio What is Art with a Heart ? What is the BCPS Office of Special Education ?
Art with a Heart works to enhance the lives of people in need through visual art For . residents Art with of a Heart Baltimore brings , City visual Schools art provides classes a to range vulnerable of services youth to ensure and adults that all in students ' needs are met , schools whether , in shelters regular , education group homes classes , community , resource rooms centers or , self-contained hospitals and classes senior at public schools , separate
facilities special education . centers , or nonpublic special education schools . Students receive appropriate supports , interventions , and rigorous instruction , with the goals of high achievement and postsecondary success . We also
offer special education programs and services for young children with Individualized Education Programs ( IEP ).
When I expressed my desire to spend this summer working with children with special needs to the CIIP Program Coordinators , I never expected to be placed with the Special Education department at Baltimore City Public Schools ( BCPSS ). Nevertheless , this internship has exceeded my expectations in every way .
A quick look into some of my goals for the summer :
( 1 ) Develop a better understanding of Special Education . Throughout this summer , I have witnessed the interdisciplinary collaboration that goes into serving just one kid with special needs-- from meetings with social workers , school psychologists , speech-language pathologists , occupational therapists , placement and transportation specialists for special ed programs , and so much more . As I saw people collaborate across disciplines , I noticed that some of the most effective and productive teammates , as well as those who tended to be easiest to work alongside , were those who understood the broad network of people involved in serving a kid from educational , clinical , and family perspectives .
( 2 ) Work hands-on with kids with special needs . I had the opportunity to support the BCPSS Special Ed Summer School Program as a classroom aide . Not only did this experience affirm that I loved working with kids , but it affirmed that I specifically want to work with Black and Brown kids , especially after seeing how many children of color with developmental disorders are overlooked and under supported .
( 3 ) Improve time management . One of my greatest breakthroughs thus far has come from realizing how much of my productivity came down to healthy practices ( e . g . sleep hygiene , healthy eating , and exercise ). Playing tag with a kid for 2 minutes will reveal this very quickly .
( 4 ) Connect with people . Simply being around others can brighten my day . I was blessed with supervisors and coworkers who were a joy to be around . So many of my coworkers were kind enough to take on a mentorship attitude towards me . I ’ ve said it before and I ’ ll say it again : I love my supervisors and coworkers .
I ’ ve read , heard , and said this 1000 times , but I will never stop being astonished by how community is the backbone of life well-lived . The community I sought to contribute to has given to me tenfold , and they are who enabled me to draw so much from this internship experience .
Completed Professional development training centered on serving children with developmental disorders
Met physical and educational needs of individual students with disabilities both inside and outside of the classroom
Assisted in the implementation of Individual Education Plans ( IEPs )
Administrative work , including reconciling city-wide student rosters to reflect school transfers and student graduations
Special thank you to Ms . Beverly , Lenora , Annabelle , Kelly , Sharon , Robin , Kizzy , Saxon , Gilmore , Hermoso , Levy , and Mr . Leo ... and so many more .
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