By Erin Luchterhand
Shepherds College
There are many benefits to various teaching strategies and social inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Yet, the primary job of a school is to provide educational opportunities, not simply social opportunities. If a student has learning needs, the school should focus on the best learning opportunities for the student. When a student struggles with learning needs that outweigh what a general education classroom can provide, they should have the opportunity to learn in a supportive and specialized environment.
At Shepherds College, a post-secondary program for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, every student has a disability, and we have found there are undeniable benefits to students learning in the specialized classroom.
At Shepherds College, we don’t teach curriculum, we teach students. Therefore, our curriculum revolves around the needs of our students. We are preparing them for life - teaching daily living skills, social skills, money skills and work ethic. Students learn to manage their own money and study specific job skills. Our students are not only learning, they are retaining what they have learned. They are retaining skills that will benefit them after graduation, and give them a higher quality of life in a way that maximizes their potential, allowing them to have inclusion for life within the community.
Success does not come easily. Our creative and dedicated instructors also face challenges. However, we believe that providing the most appropriate education for students, will garner the best results.
At Shepherds College, we believe in challenging, supporting, and encouraging our students; holding them to high standards to which they can rise. We want students to feel safe in the classroom; safe enough to fail for the sake of learning. Trial and error is how we all learn, and better to fail and learn in our classroom than to fail in the community.
While some individuals with special needs or learning challenges may be successful in the right inclusive environment, many special needs learners need specialized education. From my experience in both the inclusive classroom and specialized education programs, the students with the most success graduate from specialized education programs. Students are happy and feel successful in a classroom that provides instruction geared to their learning needs and learning style. Many of my former students have gained employment, live more independently, and have a greater sense of their purpose in life.
Education should be catered to the learning needs of the student. The learning needs of a student should never be expected to conform to a specific type of classroom, if /when it is not appropriate.
We have seen success at Shepherds College and in specialized educational programs. We understand that it is not the best fit for every student. We simply ask that specialized education be considered as a viable option for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
At Shepherds College, a post-secondary program for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, every student has a disability, and we have found there are undeniable benefits to students learning in the specialized classroom.
At Shepherds College, we don’t teach curriculum, we teach students. Therefore, our curriculum revolves around the needs of our students. We are preparing them for life - teaching daily living skills, social skills, money skills and work ethic. Students learn to manage their own money and study specific job skills. Our students are not only learning, they are retaining what they have learned. They are retaining skills that will benefit them after graduation, and give them a higher quality of life in a way that maximizes their potential, allowing them to have inclusion for life within the community.
Success does not come easily. Our creative and dedicated instructors also face challenges. However, we believe that providing the most appropriate education for students, will garner the best results.
At Shepherds College, we believe in challenging, supporting, and encouraging our students; holding them to high standards to which they can rise. We want students to feel safe in the classroom; safe enough to fail for the sake of learning. Trial and error is how we all learn, and better to fail and learn in our classroom than to fail in the community.
While some individuals with special needs or learning challenges may be successful in the right inclusive environment, many special needs learners need specialized education. From my experience in both the inclusive classroom and specialized education programs, the students with the most success graduate from specialized education programs. Students are happy and feel successful in a classroom that provides instruction geared to their learning needs and learning style. Many of my former students have gained employment, live more independently, and have a greater sense of their purpose in life.
Education should be catered to the learning needs of the student. The learning needs of a student should never be expected to conform to a specific type of classroom, if /when it is not appropriate.
We have seen success at Shepherds College and in specialized educational programs. We understand that it is not the best fit for every student. We simply ask that specialized education be considered as a viable option for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
 | Erin Luchterhand |
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