Each year, through our donor-funded Creative Classroom Grants program, the Foundation awards grants to Edmonds School District educators for innovative projects. As part of our 2017 grant cycle, one such grant was awarded to Paraeducators, Sharon Zima and Leslie Wilkie, in the District’s Work Adjustment program, to support STEM (Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics) student learning opportunities.
The Work Adjustment program provides vocational training opportunities for students with developmental disabilities or delays who are enrolled in the District’s Lifeskills (Intensive Academic Support) Program. With this grant, the Work Adjustment team will purchase components like robotics, electric circuits and design software which will allow them to create a STEM work station for students to gain important vocational skills. In a modified setting, these students will have opportunities to use the materials, read drawings and instructions, design and create physical and electronic models, and problem solve with their design process.
One student was over the moon when he learned the kit he was working with would become a functioning radio. The goal of this grant is to develop skills desired by employers and increase the students’ confidence so they might pursue advanced work transition programs or even vocational programs at community college. Leslie Wilkie shared that the students are “thrilled and I will so enjoy showing them the new tools! We will learn so much together.”
“I am personally very proud of the ladies I work with. At times, it can be a thankless job but receiving the grant is such an energizer. It has helped validate the program and recreated excitement towards our vision...and of all the possibilities,” said Sue Daniels, Director of the Work Adjustment program.
We can’t wait to hear more about the student experiences this grant will create. This grant was made possible with your generous support. Thank you!
Photo--On the left: A Work Adjustment student working on a Meccano set, which teaches mechanical assembly. On the right: Nick Rieman and Shane Zehrung from Work Experience working on Electronic Snap Circuits, which teach electrical connections.
