Senior Service - West Valley Special Education
At West Valley the students were given the opportunity to assist students with special needs. They helped pull off a celebration of Dr. Seuss' birthday with presentations of The Cat in the Hat and other favorites.
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posted by Josh @ 4:13 PM
13 comments
13 Comments:
I did my senior service at West Valley. I strongly encourage anyone who is thinking about doing service here to do it because it is an extremely rewarding experience. It's easy work to do because you are just playing with the kids and being a teacher's aid but I can not stress how rewarding this experience can be. By the end of the week I had become extremely attached to each kid I worked with and I am looking forward to returning on my own time.
Meaghan Jedrzejewski
I went to West Valley for Senior Service in November and loved it. When I found out that there was an option to West Valley, in Van Nuys, I was SO HAPPY. I had to go again! The experiance was very rewarding. I decided to work with the same group of kids, because i had established a bond with the students before. Working with the teachers also was fun. Everyone is so friendly, and the experiance gave me the option to consider teaching. I know realize how much i LOVE children and want to better their lives in any way possible. If helping others is rewarding, and patience isn't an issue I suggest you volunteer at West Valley. -Stefani Spehar
I went to West Valley for my senior service and i vividly remember my experiences there. what moments i experienced with the children during my very short week there was incredible. I loved listening to them grow and learn something new every day. I learned to be grateful for what things i experience in my life, and being born mentally capable beyond many of the kids i worked with. I still respect the lives of these kids, and cherish them as angels. West Valley opened my mind and i see the world in new light now.
Ashley A Slothower
I did my senior service at West Valley and I absolutely loved it. I sincerely felt like I really got something out of doing this service. I grew so attached to the children, and they all really touched me. It made me think about returning another time, separate from senior service. I strongly encourage anyone to do their service at West Valley, because you will get so much more out of it than you think.
Katie Balian
I fulfilled my Senior Service hours by attending West Valley school in both November and March. I truly enjoyed assisting with the children who attend this school as they always put a big smile on my face whenever I came in in the mornings, making it worth getting up that early. Seeing how some of these children are in one way or another disabled made me sad so I helped boost their confidence by talking and playing with them so they would feel even more loved and special. As I was doing this, my own inner child came out and I began to feel like a kid again because at that moment, I enjoyed life while I laughed and played with them on the school yard. I must say it was a challenge trying to teach the children concepts such as numbers, letters and even art because of their various disorders, but it was all worth while because by the end of the day, i felt i made a difference by helping a child gain the knowldge I never received as a child. By watching the childern both learn and play, I came to realize how unique and talented each child was and it almost brought tears to my eyes to see how accepting/loving they were to each other despite their differences. This opened my eyes and helped me realize that it is important never to judge or exclude anybody no matter how different one looks or acts as we are all the same in the inside. We all deserve to be accepted for who we are and not how we appear to others. Also, those who taught and/or worked there were very pleasant and seemed to be very helpful in guiding us on how to discipline the children and were there to answer any questions or concerns. Lastly, enjoyed volunteering my time here because it gave me a clear idea for what it would be like to do this for a living as I, one day, hope to have a career as a social worker to put children who are deprived of proper nurturing into better homes and a safe learning environment. Overall, it was fun, challenging and a great learning experince for me as it made me even more excitied to work with children as a career goal. With this said, I greatly recommend West Valley for future seniors, especially if they like children.
-kirsten Cooley
I absolutely adored my senior service at West Valley! I truly enjoyed every minute with the children. I worked as an assistant to two classrooms throughout the school day. My morning class was a mixed class consisting of “normal” preschool children as well as a handful of children with speech and behavior problems. These children were all bilingual which gave me the chance to put my many years of Spanish into good use. My second class, in the afternoon, was a class of 7 students; 6 with Downe Syndrome and 1 who was autistic. This class was my favorite and allowed me to leave my senior service each day with a smile and wishing I could spend more time with them. These children behold the sweetest dispositions and express the greatest amounts of love. They have already lived a difficult life, including such hardships as heart surgery, the bravery of these beautiful children amazed me everyday. Andrew, Sarahi, Albert, Salvador, Francisco, Miguel and Max, each and every one of them truly inspired me.
-Sarah McLaury
My time at West Valley Special Ed School was an amazing experience. All the kids has the brightest personalities with the biggest smiles. i felt so fortunate to be a part of their lives. I really enjoyed working there and creating bonds with my classmates and the kids. i found it extremely rewarding and would recommend it to future seniors.
Kale Walbridge
i truely enjoyed my service at west valley and would recomend it to anyone. at first, when i signed up for it, i did not know what to expect. shortly after starting my service there it proved itself to be a great place and a great experience. i spent most of my time there with a preschool class made up of "normal" as well as challenged kids. they were a lot of fun. it was great to see all of the kids interacting and playing and having fun, not noticing the differences in one another. this was an eye opening experience and i am very glad that i choose to do my senior service at west valley!
I was a little beet skeptical about doing my service at West Valley; I was imtimidated because I had never worked with specail needs children before, and was a little bit nervous at how I would handle it. As it turns out, I ended up realizing that working with special needs children is something that truely and deeply makes me happy and is something I want to always be a part of my life. I woke up at seven o'clock the next two mornings legitimately excited to go to work -- something that I imagine is not that easy to come by. On the last day, I was practically in tears when I had to loosen one of the children off my leg and leave. But, after talking to Hector, I plan on volunteering for West Valley's summer program in June, which I cannot wait for. I definitely recommend West Valley to anyone looking for a fulfilling experience.
My senior service at West Valley was an incredible oppurtunity. I have volunteered at many places, but I have never got the chance to interact with young children. After three days of being a teacher's assistant, it felt like I was more than that, like a friend to the children. I was able to play, teach, and talk to all the children in my classroom individually. Learning about the their hobbies, their family, and their favorite games really gave me a sense of hope and happiness. Over the days, they learned to trust me and I enjoyed teaching them how to count money and tell time on a clock. Although we take these daily concepts for granted, teaching them to the young children made me cherish them a lot more. Knowing that I taught the children important things that they will need in the future, inspires me to continue to help my community. I really got attatched to David and knowing that his favorite color is green and that he loves soccer made me connect with him so much more. Children have so much to offer and through this service week, I learned to make friends, care for my students, and to love them as if they were my own. Taking care of one another is the first step to learning to love your community. West Valley is not just a school for children it is like a warm home for family and friends.
-Leslie Gomez
At first, I was a little apprehensive about going to West Valley, I knew it would be fun eventually, but I'm not the kind of person who lovesss little kids. I usually feel awkward around them. Anyway, I was pleased to find out that my class was only boys, because they tend to be more troublesome and my days would be more interesting. I was right, Leslie and I helped room 10 every day and by the first hour of the first day we both had new boyfriends. Our kids had "behavior problems", but not really.. While Leslie scolded them I laughed with the boys. I had the best time, I would definitely go back if I had the chance.
-Sylvie Torrence
Doing my senior service at West Valley was such a fun way to give back to the community. I had so much fun there, and the kids were so outgoing and loving. I strongly encourage people to participate in this service activity, because it is so rewarding and fufilling. You will fall in love with the kids before the week is over, and will not want to leave! I left this service with an inspiration to help others and to encourage others to volunteer at West Valley.
-Shaylyn Riley
I really enjoyed my time at the West Valley.Helping out with the children was extremely enjoyable and I could just tell I made them smile. I connected with many teachers and students and felt good about giving something to our community. It made me realize how easy it was to make a kid smile and help out once in a while.I would like to do this again and I really recommend this service to anyone who loves kids and arts & crafts!
-Patricia Bitar
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