Special needs students benefit from volunteers Native Sp anish speaker enjoys new assignment

Krisit Palik Staff Reporter

Juan Villaseca has left his own country, Spain, to teach at Millard South. Inhisplace Leigh McKeehan, is teaching at his school, Sangonera La Verde.

Villaseca has been teaching for 15 years, this year ishis 16". In Spain, he teaches English. Sangonera La Verde hasamandatory Englishclassforallsecondary school students, whereas, Millard South students have a choice ofwhat language totake orwhether or not totake alanguage atall.Sangonera laVerde offers sixyears for students to take classes. The first four years are mandatory and coincide with Millard School’s seventh through tenth grade. The last two years resemble Millard Public’s eleventh and twelfth grade. These lasttwo years arefocused on college and most of the students are college-bound.

Sangonera laVerde does not have much emphasis on clubs, sports, and extra-curricular activities.

“(Millard South] has more activi- ties and they are more evolved than ours.” Villaseca said.

Sangonera laVerde also does not have the same sort of pep-rallies and spirit weeks as Millard Schools. They

A difference in scheduling was also noticed by Villaseca. Although his school in Spain had close to the same spring, Christmas, and summer break, they are scheduled for slightly different times than Millard Schools. The summer break at Sangonera la Verde is spanned across July and August while Millard’s break is through June and July.

Students in Spain also have a shorter school day than Millard Public Schools. The day at Sangonera la Verde begins at 8:30 and ends at 2:30. Teachets there are only at the building while students are. ‘

“In Spain, teachers do most of their work at home.” Villaseca said.

Colleen Strassenburg Staff Reporter

Every year, hundreds of students become involved in activities such as the Future Educators of America, DECA, or any of the many athletics provided by Millard South. Yet each year, special needs instructors, such as Kate Savas, struggle to recruit volunteers to assist in their program.

“We approach study halls, and basically let them know ‘hey this is available” We've received many good volunteers that way; we let them know this option is available. The student will act as an assistant for the students in my classes. think it’s good for my students, but I also think it’s good for the general population as well. Hopefully they'll think ‘this is pretty cool, I might like to do this,” Savas said.

To some students, like junior Anthony Boeman, working with the students has proven to be an enlightening experience.

helped someone else” Boeman said. Savas agrees that these students affect students’ lives, and often times who they become.

‘Iwas going tobecome an English teacher, and while I was in school I began working in a daycare, where I metalittle boy with many disabilities. Which is a major factor in why | changed my mind, and chose to become a special needs teacher,” Savas said.

Spanish teacher Juan Villaseca do, however, have days that resemble our spiritdays.

“We have certain activity days when thereisnoteaching. Instead,studentsareinvolvedinsports,games, and performances.” Villaseca said.

As for comparing the students in Spain compared to the students at Millard South. Villaseca said he believes they behave more or less the same with ‘some minor differences.

‘Here, behavior is a bit better and more controlled.” Villaseca said.

“At one point in my life, when was getting into trouble, I decided to go to work with my mom. It turned out that she assisted with down syndrome children, and from there I found out that we had a program at Millard South with special needs students that I could become involved in. I've been assisting here for about a year now and helping with the students makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something, and

For some students, such as senior JoshBlaisdell,justmeeting thestudents has altered their future, “When Iwas asophomore Iwent in to talk to Mrs. Savas, and began volunteering.Working with thespecial needs students has helped me in my decision tobecome aspecial education teacher,” Blaisdell said. Blaisdell, who has been involved with thespecialneeds program fortwo years now, was chosen-by Millard to host Millard’s annual special needs prom, with one other student from Millard North.

“Tchose tobecome involved with theirprom becauseIlike seeing thekids and how they act when they're happy. We set up a prom, design the dance, and hire a dj.The dance is supported by the donations from local businesses, and is free for the kids,” Blaisdell said.