Access
Students and their families have been exposed to people, programs, resources, and connections that can open doors for them, and they are able to navigate and access those opportunities.
Introduction
I have the privilege of working with five- and six-year-old scholars who are beginning to experience significant moments in their life like starting school, developing and navigating relationships, and building their understanding of what the world has to offer. Therefore, it is also my responsibility to provide them with access to opportunities that will help them grow as intelligent, social, emotional human beings, broadening their understanding of their identity and their world. Access means providing my students' and their families with opportunities to connect with people or partake in experiences that they would otherwise have not have been available.
Click the link above to learn about the Pen Pal relationship my students built with students from an elementary school in a remote part of Hawaii
Click the link above to learn about the literacy night another special education teacher, and I set up at our school.
Conclusion
Although they are young, I know my scholars are already forming their knowledge of who they are and who they want to be. Therefore, as their teacher, it is my job to research and introduce them to resources that would have otherwise not been available. It is my responsibility to connect my students' and their families to outside opportunities that might open additional doors. Although these experiences were all executed at my school, it is important to note that they are age appropriate as students are still very young. Although students aren't partaking in the typical types of access activities, these resources are terrific opportunities and gateways as they continue to develop their understanding of themselves and their world.