STUDENT LIFE I INTERNATIO AL I SOCIAL CLUBS I CADEMICS I PEOPLE I LEADERSHIP I ATHLETIC I ORGANIZATIO A FOR THE COMMUNITY Students taught physical education classes at the Sunshine School, providing a fun learning environment for children with disabilities. A ssociate Professor of Kinesiology Dr. Jessica Moore finished her eighth year of teaching Adapted Physical and Recreational Education (KINS 415). In the class, Moore had 15 students lead physical education classes for children with disabilities at the SunshineSchool, a school and things like that. That's a huge part of why I decided to go into speech pathology and also be in this class." Moore divided her students into small groups of two or three and paired the group wich two or three studetns from the Sunshine School. The students went to the Sunshine for students of all ages with developmental disabilities. The class was mainly for students who planned to be physical education teachers but also included students who majored in special education and communication sciences and disorders. ".. .as soon as I met the students I would be working with, I was able to really get into it and form relationships with them." School two days a week and had to make 15 lesson plans throughout the semester to lead the classes. Senior sport recreation and management major Ethan Eads took the class in fall 2018 along with Reeves and worked in a small group with two students from the "My favorite part about this class is seeing the relationships -Ethan Eads SunshineSchool. that my students form with the SunshineSchool [students]," Moore said. At the beginning of the semester, many ofMoore'sstudents told her that they had no previous experience with children with disabilities. Some even told Moore that they were anxious on that first day and did not know what to expect. However, in feedback given at the end of each semester, students often expressed their appreciation for the class because of the relationships formed and experiences gained. Senior communication sciences and disorders major Emma Reeves was excited about the class from the time she found out about it. "I used to take care ofa girl with Down syndrome at home," Reeves said. "So I would take her to all of her appointments "lt was a really great experience," Eads said. "A little uncomfortable at first, just not knowing what to expect, ... but as soonas I met thestudents I would be working with, I was able to really get into it and form relationships with them." Moore started the class by working on the board for the Special Olympics with teachers from the Sunshine School. Moore began to bring her students over co reach the physical education classes. Eight years later, Moore planned to continue doing this for as long as possible, not only for the benefit ofthe Sunshine School but because she felt that her students truly benefited from the experience. "I tell my students you're going to be successful here, and if you're successful here, you can be successful in the public schools," Moore said. story by Baylee Hedden 106
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