CBA E-Newsletter April 2006 - Every Child Matters Teacher Training

While 1 in 10 children lives with a learning disability, many teachers lack the knowledge to involve such children in daily activities. The University of Tulsa Exercise and Sports Science Teacher Certification Program saw the need to change those odds and presented a teacher training institute in February 2006.

From across the state, a total of 48 professionals in Adaptive Physical Education, Physical Education, Special Education, and the ParaProfessional level joined 16 students from TU and Oral Roberts University for the “Every Child Matters” teacher training.

“The teacher training reinforced my belief that every student can participate on whatever level they are on,” said Deina Singleton, a special education instructor at Academy Central Elementary in Tulsa. “They can leave the classroom at the end of the day excited about coming back and feeling good about themselves and who they are. I renewed the joy that brought me to the field of special education. I am glad to know there are resources of this scope available in Oklahoma.”

The instructors taught current and future educators how to include children with learning and physical disabilities into the least restrictive environment. Attending educators were fully engaged in activities designed to not only teach them how to optimize the educational experience for every student, but also to experience what learning can feel like for the differently-abled.

Carrie Waisner-Taylor, director of the Tulsa Public Schools Challenge Course, addressed sensory integration concerns as well as other inclusive barriers.

To help attendees better understand the feelings of children with learning disabilities, Barb Hayes, counselor for Tulsa Public Schools, led a session designed to overwhelm the educators and cause them similar anxiety and frustration. Carol Outhier, adaptive physical education instructor for Enid Public Schools, followed with a demonstration of equipment that enhances children's senses as well as describing simple changes in elementary activities that make physical education all-inclusive.

Velinda Baker, assistant professor for TU Exercise and Sports Science Teacher Certification Program, engaged attendees in outdoor, traditional and nontraditional sports to learn what changes could be made in these activities that would allow all children the opportunity to participate regardless of ability level.

“Every Child Matters” will be an annual event with the continued support from TU and Oklahoma Association for Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. The workshop replaces the “Physical Education for Every Body” teacher training institute offered by the Oklahoma State Department of Education 10 years ago. The sponsors hope to acquire grant funding needed to re-instate the training throughout Oklahoma, and establish a three-day training called Adventure Inclusion with the intent of making outdoor and lifetime physical activities open to all children.

“Every child should matter to everyone,” Baker said. “We are all different in a number of ways. No child should be left behind because an adult is limited in their understanding.”

“Every Child Matters” was co-directed by Baker; Samantha Beams-Summers, Broken Arrow Public Schools; and Jan Drummond, TU associate professor of athletic training. The TU Exercise and Sports Science Teacher Certification Organization helped with the development and transitioning of attendees through each session.