1. FRIDAY KNIGHTS REFLECTION By: Patricia Sylvester

2. What did you most enjoy about the experience? Why?  I was able to connect with children who I might not normally have the chance to spend time with and learn from. ”

3. Kids at SOS planting a garden in the greenhouse!

4. What did you least enjoy? Why?  The one thing that made me feel helpless was not understanding how to help a child who has Autism and is nonverbal. I know the frustration I felt, I can’t imagine how the child must feel not being able to articulate effectively what he/she wants.”

5. Summer Camp at SOS Healthcare! My buddy Joseph is on the far left!

6. What did you learn, if anything, about students with disabilities?  The world worries about disabilities more than disabled people do. People with disabilities are more like you and I, then they are different.”

7. One of our kids reading to an interventionist!

8. Did you use any skills or knowledge you learned at FKs in the school and vice versa?  I came away from this experience with a better understanding that these children do not need someone to fix them, but rather need someone who is willing to understand them for who they are and not what society deems as acceptable or normal. Now I go into the classroom and listen to what the children are telling me they need, rather than telling them what they need”

9. I’m not weird… I’m limited edition! Why fit in when you were Born to STAND OUT? -Dr. Seuss

10. What, if anything, would you change about the experience  I wish I would have done this sooner. Not only has this been an amazing learning experience for me, but for my daughters as well. You can’t learn empathy and valuable lessons these kids teach us from a textbook.”

11. Don’t be afraid of being different. Be afraid of being like everyone else. “ It takes nothing to join the crowd. It takes everything to stand alone.” -Hans F. Hansen

12. Any other reflection? Ideas?  General Education candidates and teachers should have to spend time at Friday Knights. After all, our ultimate goal is to mainstream these children from Special Education into General Education with their peers. Gen Ed teachers are often disinterested in teaching children who are not average or above average. I think this experience would benefit the general education teacher so they can become acclimated to the diversity that will make up their classrooms.