Artifact Title: Easter Seals Camp Counselor

Date: July 13-18, 2014

Artifact Description:
This artifact contains the verification form for summer hours for the class Introduction to
Inclusion at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. I completed 75 hours of volunteering
during July 13-18, 2014 at Easter Seals camp in Wisconsin Dells. I was in charge of
two campers with Down syndrome. They were both 17 year old females. As a camp
counselor, I stayed with my campers 24 hours a day every day the camp was in
session. Although I was only assigned two campers on numerous occasions I was
asked to watch over other campers ages 6-18 both male and female.
Wisconsin Teacher Standard Alignment:
This experience best aligns with Standard 2 Development and Learning: The teacher
understands how children learn and develop, and can provide learning opportunities
that support their intellectual, social, and personal development.
This artifact best aligns with Standard 2 because I needed to use the campers
strengths as a basis for growth, and their errors as an opportunity for learning. I had to
be extra careful in pointing out errors because sometimes the campers would throw
major fits and attempt to run away. In which case I would start a game of tag, and it
would distract them enough that I could lead them back to their original task.
Volunteering at Easter Seals helped me to understand how learning occurs. It also
helped me to understand how the campers develop habits and acquire knowledge. I
could then use the instructional strategies to promote camper learning for a wide range
of abilities. I constantly had to assess the students thinking and experiences as a basis
for instructional activities. I really had to listen to the campers and encourage
monologues to figure out the best ways to continue learning and encourage group
interactions.
I am more competent in this standard because I gained a better understanding on how
children learn and develop and can provide learning opportunities through my
experience volunteering at Easter Seals camp.
UW-Platteville Knowledge, Skill, Disposition Alignment:
This experience best aligns KSD1.b: The candidate displays knowledge of the typical
developmental characteristics, learning styles, skills, interests, developmental
backgrounds, and cultural heritages of students and is always aware of the broad
ranges and variety present for each of these student characteristics and lifestyles.

The experience of volunteering at Easter Seals best aligns with this KSD because I had
to watch campers with various physical and mental capabilities and alter whatever
activity we were doing at the time to fit their special needs. I also had to quickly learn
their likes and dislikes, or I could run the risk of extremely offending them or their
friends.
I am more competent after this experience because I was put in charge of a variety of
children that were at different levels physically and mentally. It forced me to become
aware of the broad ranges and variety of student characteristics and lifestyles.
Secondary KSDs:
KSD3.b: Using Questioning and Discussion Techniques
KSD4.e: Growing and Developing Professionally
KSD4.f: Showing Professionalism
What I learned about teaching/learning from this experience:
I have learned so many things about teaching and learning through volunteering as a
counselor. Flexibility is important. There are always situations that arise that may alter
what is possible to accomplish during the class period. I also learned it is important to
connect with my students on an individual basis. It is also equally important to connect
with my fellow colleagues because they may have had experience dealing with some of
the same issues in that classroom.
What I learned about myself as a prospective educator as a result of this
experience:
Throughout this experience, I have discovered that, as a teacher, I will be able to
successfully collaborate with my fellow co-workers to help understands how children
learn and develop and can provide learning opportunities that support their intellectual,
social, and personal development. I learned that patience and keeping a calm
demeanor is crucial in figuring out how to best teach a student.