....and its over...

Here is just a little of the things I get on my end from parents on the work and changes YOU are making.  Never forget...YOU did this and these things!!!  Dr. Williams and I only provided you the opportunity to do such amazing and awesome stuff!  Without you and your efforts CAPES! would not be anything....

His social interactions everywhere are much improved.  He goes into new situations with more confidence.  And they are benefited by the physical activity, both in general better health and in learning and practicing new skills.

He is a much better listener and follows directions better now!

·         The student instructors were awesome! I love that my kids could interact with any of them and any of the kids and I didn’t have to explain them. They were accepted and included just as they were. It is the only (outside of family and school) social experience that has been successful for them. It is huge that our daughter was able to do the whole CAPES experience without a single panic attack. I can’t think of another situation that has been true.

CAPES!

WSU Student Debriefing

Now that you have completed your CAPES! experience, please take a few moments to reflect on the entire program, yourself, and the participant(s) you worked with.  Complete the following questions and e-mail them to Dr. Z. (jameszagrodnik@weber.edu).  DO NOT post on the blog, as we need to protect the privacy of your participants!!!!  The information you provide here will help us make CAPES! better from a WSU student perspective as well as give the next group of WSU Students some beginner clues on what to expect, do, and achieve.  You may remember seeing information similar to this when you started...it was from people last Spring who filled this out.  Think about how helpful that was for you and how you will be helping out the next group of students!  We realize that some of you moved around a lot this semester, please select the participant you worked the most with this semester and complete what you can.  THANKS!

Name of participant(s) you worked with the most this semester:

What can he/she/they do physically? What can they not do?

What can he/she/they do cognitively? What can they not do?

What can he/she/they do socially? What can they not do?

What was the biggest “break through” that occurred this semester?

What are some tricks/strategies you learned to be successful?

What are some things you learned NOT to do?

What was his/her/their favorite thing to do?

What was your favorite thing to do?

What do you think the next group should work on with this person the most for next semester?

Any additional information you would like to give the next group that you wish you knew at the beginning?

What could be done to improve CAPES! from your perspective?

What did you like about the program as a whole?

What did you not like about the program as a whole?

Did being in groups work or would you have rather been sent off as individuals?

Is the blog a good/effective method to reflect?

Do you want/need more assistance from Dr. Z. or Dr. Williams or did you like how we essentially let you off the leash?

Anything else you would like to say or express?  

Pick ONE of the following discussion topics and respond to it! (Please indicate which one you are responding to...thanks!) #1...Future Environments and Functional Skills So often we forget that our students' lives do not end with our classroom/gym. It is our responsibility to prepare them for environments beyond the current one. What have you done this semester with your CAPES! students that takes them beyond the gym and the classroom? What skills have you taught that will prepare them for their future as contributing members of our society? What functional skills have you taught them that will impact them for a lifetime?

Pick ONE of the following discussion topics and respond to it! 

 (Please indicate which one you are responding to...thanks!)

#1...Future Environments and Functional Skills

So often we forget that our students' lives do not end with our classroom/gym. It is our responsibility to prepare them for environments beyond the current one. What have you done this semester with your CAPES! students that takes them beyond the gym and the classroom? What skills have you taught that will prepare them for their future as contributing members of our society? What functional skills have you taught them that will impact them for a lifetime?

OR

#2....Beware the Rut!

Congratulations the downward journey for CAPES has begun!  You only have two weeks remaining in the gym & pool. You can see the light at the end of the tunnel getting larger each day, and you know if you just hang on a little longer it will all be over and you can move on.

How do you maintain motivation, excitement, and energy for the final few days?  Now that you know your students, and you have a fairly good idea of what you are doing, and have established a routine (for yourself, your group, your students, and parents) it is very easy to "get stuck in a rut".

How will you keep yourself motivated to be invested in your students learning?  How will you makes things more exciting for you and your learner now that things have gotten "normal" and possibly a little "boring"?  What will you do to re-invigorate the energy and expectations from yourself and for your learner?

What have YOU learned?

Last night you had an opportunity to share with President Wight how you personally have been impacted by CAPES! Many of you did not get the opportunity to share, so here is your opportunity. How has CAPES impacted you, not only on a personal level, but as a future teacher of students with disabilities? What have you learned about individuals with disabilities? What have you learned about yourself and your abilities to teach?