Teacher Tuesday: A Word to the Wise

Day 30 of the 31 for 21 Challenge

Shepherds College is unique.

There aren’t many post-secondary programs out there like us. 

We are designed exclusively for people with intellectual disabilities. 

We write our own curriculum.

We base our curriculum, our hiring practices, our policy, and our vision on Christian values. 

We have a philosophy of Appropriate Independence (Ai) – a level of self-sufficiency that is aligned with individual strengths and guided by Christian values. It is used as a measuring stick for all other aspects of our program – how does this material teach Ai? How does this activity support Ai? What does Ai look like for this particular student?

We have a residential campus which is an important element in fostering growth toward Appropriate Independence.

And we’re the first school of our kind to ever receive accreditation by NCA CASI and approval for Federal Student Aid.

So if this model of education hasn’t been done quite like this before, how do we know that what we’re doing is right?

When I first made a commitment to follow Christ, my father-in-law hugged me and gave me this important word of advice, “God wants to do big things with your life. Let Him.”

My pastor said to me, “Pray, watch where God is working, and join Him there.”

I’ve been trying to follow these wise words for the last twenty-four years. You can say that Shepherds College is also following this advice.

It was obvious - from the Board to the president to the hourly staff - that God had a new direction for Shepherds. He had big plans. We opened ourselves up to the idea of change, prayed, and watched as God revealed His will for the development of Shepherds College. Step by scary, exciting step we’ve joined Him in His work.  This plan is from God so we know that, by following Him, what we’re doing is right.

But what about all the day to day details of running this type of college? What about the finer aspects of teaching students with intellectual disabilities at the college level? There are not a lot of textbooks out there that cover these topics.

The same advice also applies in these situations - as Mrs. Kolkman says, “Pray daily!!!”

God is faithful to answer our prayers, not only in the grand plans, but also in the everyday struggles. He sends us knowledgeable people in the ministry, people who have been working with individuals with intellectual disabilities for decades. He puts us in the path of professionals with strong counsel in specific areas. He also draws staff to the college who are perfectly suited in skills and personality to work out all the unknowns in our new venture. 

We’ve received some great advice from all these people to help us along this unbeaten path.

The most helpful advice Mrs. Konopasek received was adapted from the words of Dr. Wood, the first president of Shepherds Ministries, “Never do for the students what they can learn to do for themselves.”  The type of assistance we offer should attempt to release the God-given potential within every student, not foster the impression that their disability makes them helpless.

“Set your expectations high. The students will rise to meet them. Demand the respect and responsibility from a student with intellectual disabilities that you would out of a ‘normal’ student.” Miss Luchterhand was blessed with parents who set high expectations and knows from first-hand experience that this advice works.

 

Mrs. Harvey works one-on-one with the students when needed. This advice helps her as she teaches hard to grasp concepts to a student, “Give directions in steps – short, clear steps with one action per step.”

Miss Spence was offered this advice that helps her develop deeper relationships with the students at Shepherds College, “See the students for who they are as individuals. Don’t just see them for their disabilities.”

As you can imagine, when our students come from different religions, cultures, and family backgrounds…  when they have varying IQ levels and reading abilities… when we’re dealing with over 90 different disabilities among the students, it’s important to be flexible in the classroom. Several teachers received, and took to heart, sound advice in this area.

 “’Be flexible and consistent.’ Seems like an oxymoron, doesn’t it? It’s important to always have the same routine but, depending on the day and the topic, you may need to change your approach.” Mrs. Kolkman

 

“There’s a possibility that nothing will ever work more than once.”  Miss Pollard

 “The best thing that I’ve heard is that everyone is different. People are always different. God didn’t use a cookie cutter to make us. It’s the same with students with intellectual disabilities – what works for one student may not work for another. So, be flexible and get to know each student and what works for them.”  Miss Van Oyen

Shepherds College may be blazing new trails through uncharted territory, but we’re doing it under the guidance of the wisest One of all. We’re definitely on the right path.

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.” Proverbs 19:20

 


Shepherds College - Guiding Your Transition to Appropriate Independence. Please visit us at www.shepherdscollege.edu.