1. Lake County Summer
Olympics 2013 – Triangle
Elementary
Stephanie Fuller
stephaniefuller@knights.ucf.edu
14 April 2013
EEX 4070 Spring 2013
2.
3. Lake County Special Olympics
• The Lake County Special Olympics provides sports
training and competition over 300 children and adults
with intellectual disabilities, at no cost to the athlete
or their caregiver as a means to achieve physical
fitness, self-esteem and the life skills necessary to be
productive, respected and contributing members of
their communities.
• These athletes are trained by certified coaches, and
are supported and encouraged by volunteers.
• Special Olympics athletes are given opportunities to
participate without regard to economic, demographic,
religious, or social factors. Activities exist for those of
all ability levels, from the highly functioning to the
severely challenged.
9. Award Ceremonies
• Awards are given to the Top 3 athletes in
each athletic event.
• Most athletes participate in more than one
event, so many leave with several awards.
• Athletes receive a blue, red, or yellow ribbon
depending on their placing in their event and
stand on a podium in World Olympic fashion
for crowd recognition and photo
opportunities.
10.
11. Connection to My Course
• This project was completed for EEX 4070 – Teaching
Exceptional Children Spring 2013.
• Through this experience I had the opportunity to meet
and interact with many individuals with varying physical
and mental disabilities.
• I feel that after this experience I am more prepared to
teach exceptional education students and I now also have
knowledge of a local event that my students could
potentially participate in as well.
• Just as the Special Olympics encourages events attainable
to all persons; I plan to create a classroom environment
that also provides opportunities for every student to
participate in, enjoy, and grow from.
12. Civic Engagement and
Final Thoughts
• I am so glad to have had these doors opened through my
EEX course. I have volunteered in many community
service and volunteer projects throughout my life, but I
don’t know if I would’ve been led to the Special Olympics
were it not for this assignment.
• I feel that by contributing just a small part to the special
needs community I was able to gain so much and learn so
much from the experience and hopefully helped those
around me do the same.
• Now that I am aware of the Lake County Special Olympics
I plan on volunteering my services next year as well and
making those around me aware of its existence so more
community members can also contribute and enjoy this
experience as I did.
Notes de l'éditeur
Hi, my name is Stephanie Fuller and this is my slideshow presentation of my Teachers in Action project. For my project I volunteered in a Special Needs classroom with third, fourth, and fifth grade students at Triangle Elementary School. I spent time getting to know the students in their classroom setting and then volunteered with them at the Lake County Summer Olympics, which is coincidently held in early March when it is quite cold.While in the classroom I was able to view an alternative assessment, participate in a Social Studies lesson, and spend time with students during their center activities. I also compiled a class CD of the many photos and videos I took while at the Special Olympics, some of which you will see in this slideshow, and gave it to the class as a departing gift.
Here are a few of the students from Triangle Elementary, not every student participated the Special Olympics, but all were offered the opportunity. From left to right we have Shane, Alex, Caitlyn, and Brandon. I had a wonderful time getting to know each and every one of the students, but Brandon became my little buddy and interacted with me the most during my time with them. Brandon is a Special Needs student and an ESOL student as well. He was entertained by some of my poor Spanish skills as I tried to translate simple words with him.
The Lake County Special Olympics is a wonderful program. I was unaware that the entire program is free of cost to the participants and their families. It is truly a fun and exciting time for participants and volunteers alike and some of the athletes are just amazing. Participants can come as school groups, groups from assisted living facilities, and individuals. Ages range from elementary school children to adults.
Here is a photo of Shane, Brandon, and I hanging out waiting for the Special Olympics events to begin. There are many different activities and it is a full day event with a lot going on the entire time, but we still had several moments to sit and hang out and play around as well.
Some of the Summer Olympics events include:Shot put, Relay races, Softball throw, Tennis ball throw, Volleyball, 50 meter, 100 meter, and ¼ mile running races, as well as 50 meter, 100 meter, and ¼ mile walking races. Here is a clip of Shane running in the 50 meter running race. And following is a clip of the end of the ¼ mile walking race, won by a gentleman I had the privilege of meeting, name Carl. He has the fastest walking stride I have ever seen. It is really quite amazing to see.
Here are some photos of the kids participating in several of the different events throughout the day.
Halfway through the day the Awards Ceremonies begin. They go on continuously throughout the rest of the day as there are many, many events and many opportunities for the participants to receive their awards. Awards are given for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners from each event and also within age groups. Every one of our participants went home with more than one medal! During the ceremony the winners are able to stand on a podium like in the World Olympics and receive recognition from the crowd and have their photos taken by professional photographers, as well as friends and family.
Here are some photos of several of the winners receiving their awards.
This project was completed for EEX 4070 – Teaching Exceptional Children Spring 2013.Through this experience I had the opportunity to meet and interact with many individuals with varying physical and mental disabilities. It was really one of the best opportunities I could’ve found because I was able to see the students in the formal classroom setting and also have a great time with them on a more personal level at the Special Olympics.I feel that after this experience I am more prepared to teach exceptional education students and I now also have knowledge of a local event that my students could potentially participate in as well.Just as the Special Olympics encourages events attainable to all persons; I plan to create a classroom environment that also provides opportunities for every student to participate in, enjoy, and grow from.
I am so glad to have had these doors opened through my EEX course. I have volunteered in many community service and volunteer projects throughout my life, but I don’t know if I would’ve been led to the Special Olympics were it not for this assignment.I feel that by contributing just a small part to the special needs community I was able to gain so much and learn so much from the experience and hopefully helped those around me do the same.Now that I am aware of the Lake County Special Olympics I definitely plan on volunteering my services next year as well and making those around me aware of its existence so hopefully more community members can also contribute and enjoy this experience as I did.
Thank you and I hope you enjoyed this presentation.