A new, collaborative physical education class at Brashear High School is proving beneficial to all students involved.
Its first mission is giving Brashear students with intellectual disabilities a sense of belonging and inclusion through sport, said Brashear health teacher Christine Wolski. But the class is also a learning experience for students in Brashear’s “Emerging Educators” program, preparing them for a potential future career in education.
And it provides an opportunity for the Point Park University education majors who visit the twice-weekly class to be mentors to the aspiring student teachers and the students with intellectual disabilities.
“The most rewarding part of this program is interacting with all students throughout the spectrum, and making sure that everybody has an inclusive and interactive, community-building opportunity,” Wolski said.
This year, Point Park collaborated with the Special Olympics Unified Fitness program to offer Emerging Educators students an opportunity to be mentored by college students while working with Brashear intellectually disabled students during physical education classes.
“Being able to work with different kids — some of these kids are older than me — but they’re still learning from me, and they still look up to me,” said Charisma Wilson, 16, a Brashear sophomore in the Emerging Educators program. “That makes me feel good.”
Point Park and Emerging Educator students brainstorm ways to make physical education courses meaningful and positive for students with special needs, said Maria Fabyonic, program teacher for Emerging Educators.
The experience incorporates classroom teachings into real classroom experience.
“I’m grateful to be working with them,” said Amber Smith, 19, a Point Park sophomore. “I see my former self in them and I want to bring the best out of them.”
Unified Fitness curriculum components include muscular strength and endurance, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility and overall body composition and nutrition, Wolski said.
Activities for students include kickball, interactive and rhythmic dance, handball, hockey, soccer and other exercises that work on fine and gross motor skills.
“Some things go outstandingly, and sometimes we come back and reflect, monitor and adjust,” Fabyonic said. “We’ve had epic fails and great successes. It’s a really good learning experience for everybody.”
The Emerging Educators program at Brashear replaced the previous teaching magnet at the school. Through the program, students receive hands-on teaching experiences, earn industry certifications like CPR and Alice active shooter training, and can earn dual enrollment credit through Point Park.
“All the kids have such an interest in what we’re learning and want to run with it,” Fabyonic said. “They started with a little hesitation but once they got used to it, they took off.”
Brashear junior Je’Riyah Fleming said the Emerging Educators program has opened her eyes to all that goes into teaching — like lesson plans and certifications. Her dream job is a seventh-grade history teacher.
“Middle school is a very important part of life,” said Fleming, 17. “I wasn’t the best student in middle school. Students need guidance. We were always told we were bad — they didn’t even give us a chance. I want to be there for middle school students.”
Fabyonic said Fleming has risen as a leader in the Emerging Educators program. Fleming guides discussions and emphasizes a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere in her classrooms — which is integral when working with students with special needs.
“The kids feel a connection to the emerging educators,” Fabyonik said. “They look forward to it.”
The experience is full-circle for Point Park sophomore David Chapman, a Pittsburgh Obama Academy graduate and Point Breeze native.
Chapman, 20, was undecided on declaring his major before landing on special education, and hopes he can be a strong mentor to high schoolers looking into the education field.
“I thought it would be fun to try to help people decide what they wanted to do in education,” he said.
Chapman’s older brother, Calum, is a Pittsburgh Pioneer Education Center graduate. Pioneer specializes in educating students with multiple disabilities. Working at a school like Pioneer is David Chapman’s goal.
“I thought this was a great way to help me understand students like this more,” Chapman said of the Unified Fitness program. “The atmosphere of (Pioneer) is so awesome. The teachers and staff are super close. I want that to be my every day.”