MU & AA: A Powerful Partnership Preparing Effective Special Educators Millersville University of Pennsylvania Elba I. Rohena, Associate Professor Ellen Long, Assistant Professor Tasha Carr, Special Education Teacher Candidate Britnie Frey, Special Education Teacher Candidate Breigh King, Special Education Teacher Candidate

The participants will: O Gain information about the Millersville University/Aaron’s Acres Internship Program O Examine factors that contribute to the effectiveness of the internship O Share ideas on how to forge strong partnerships with the community O Brainstorm ways to develop similar opportunities in their institutions

AGENDA O Introductions O Program Description O Data on the impact on the participants O Factors contributing to the effectiveness of the program O Ideas on how to forge similar partnerships O Questions

Millersville University O One of the fourteen regional state universities under the PASSHE in Pennsylvania O A very strong tradition of excellency in teacher preparation programs O Approximately 225 students in the dual special education/early childhood, elementary education and special education only majors (2011)

Aaron’s Acres O Non profit organization located in Lancaster Pennsylvania O Serves children between ages 5 and 21 with developmental disabilities and their families throughout the year O Offers summer programs and school year recreation program O Executive Director – Mrs. Risa Paskoff

Millersville University (MU)/ Aaron’s Acres (AA) Internship Program This program offers children with disabilities ages 5 to 12 and their siblings participating in the Aaron’s Acres year around program, monthly recreational activities(four Saturdays in the fall semester and four Saturdays in the spring semester).

Millersville University (MU)/ Aaron’s Acres (AA) Internship Program O It offers a strong clinical experience for special education teacher candidates O It runs Sundays (this semester on Saturdays) thorough the two academic semesters (fall & spring)

Millersville University (MU)/ Aaron’s Acres (AA) Internship Program O Teacher candidates work closely with faculty from the University as well as staff at Aaron’s Acres O Teacher candidates complete the objectives of two University 3 credit method courses They provide age appropriate recreational activities to children with disabilities age 5 to 12

Selecting Participants O MU special education teacher candidates are eligible to participate in their junior year O Teacher candidates submit applications upon request of University Program Coordinator (Elba I. Rohena) O Applications are reviewed and teacher candidates who demonstrate leadership, have strong GPAs, and are able to work independently are considered

Selecting Participants O Two cohorts of 3-5 teacher candidates are selected to participate for the fall and spring academic semesters

300 level cohort O This cohort are junior level teacher candidates (5 teacher candidates maximum) O They worked under the supervision of the 400 level teacher candidates O They are assigned an Aaron’s Acres participant (a buddy) to support during the monthly activities O They prepare materials to be used during the monthly activities.

400 Level Cohort O This cohort are the senior teacher candidates (5 teacher candidates maximum) O They participated as the 300 level cohort the semester before

400 Level Cohort O They are responsible to plan, coordinate, and implement (with the 300 level cohort teacher candidates) recreational activities under the supervision of the AA Executive Director and the University Program Coordinator

Impact- Focus Groups O Approximately 20 former and current AA teacher candidates participants contributed in the focus groups discussions: O How has AA impacted you professionally and personally? O Did it meet your expectations? O What are your recommendations?

Question # 1: How has AA impacted you professionally and personally? O Helped them during job interviews O Learned their limitations O Prepared them for “anything” O Learned to establish rapport between students and parents O Developed support system that continued long after the internship ended O Developed confidence and flexibility

Question #2: Did it meet your expectations? O Initial Expectations - Unsure, did not know what to expect, unclear - Develop skills: collaboration, teaching skills, FBA, working with parents, confidence - Experience : hands-on, real life, resume builder

Expectations O Fulfillment of Expectations - Exceeded expectations, more than fulfilled, changed them - Practical experience, professional collaboration, real world - Overwhelming at times

Question #3 - What are your recommendations? O Get students more involved after completing the internship O Expose more MU students to internship O Communicate the details of the internship before students apply O Emphasize relationships with families O More inclusion O Better communication among interns O Build relationships between all staff

Where are we going from here? O Strengthening the relationship with Aaron’s Acres O Implement Internship program during Aaron’s Acres Summer Program O Align Aaron’s Acres activities with the course objectives (new courses and new programs). O Align Aaron’s Acres Internship with C.E.C. standards

Questions??