Program offers valuable work experience

By Lori Gailey, On-line Forty-Niner

July 23,1998

Students of the Adapted Physical Education Specialist Program are able to gain valuable work experience in preparation for future employment while touching the lives of many through community involvement, Dr. Barry Lavay, program coordinator said.

Students of the program, offered through the kinesiology department and physical education, acquire a thorough understanding of their future career through the diversified and comprehensive academic course of study. Practical experience is gained through many off campus and on-campus activities including camp programs offered for children with disabilities and special needs, Lavay said.

Graduating students enter a career of teaching and developing the physical skills of individuals of all ages with various disabilities and special needs. Individuals with this education are in demand in both the public and private sector, Lavay said.

"Most students have three or four job offers upon graduation," Lavay said.

Julia Jenkinson graduated in May 1998 with the Adapted Physical Education Specialist Credential supplementing her single subject teaching degree. She was not aware of the program when she transferred to Cal State Long Beach as a physical therapist major.

"After learning about the program, I found out [adapted physical education] was what I really wanted to do," Jenkinson said.

Dr. Lavay is very supportive and involved with each student, continually offering advise to keep them on track for timely credential completion, eliminating a lot of the stress of scheduling that many students experience, Jenkinson said.

When asked how her interest in the field developed, Jenkinson remembers her childhood elementary school years of including classmates with disabilities in recess activities.

Returning to the same school to complete part of her student teaching requirements, she was "amazed and saddened" to see that the students with disabilities were socially excluded from the other children's play, Jenkinson said.

"I've never really thought anything different about [people with disabilities] and I've always tried to include them in some way ... as long as they're involved," Jenkinson said.

Cadet teaching and observation field work in public schools provides experience in the teaching environment where many graduates find employment. After working in the camp program with Dr. Lavay this summer, Jenkinson will start working for the Long Beach Unified School District in September.

Jenkinson will be teaching students with special needs ranging from preschool to eighth grade. She hopes to make a difference, she said.

California is one of only 14 states that require adapted physical education instructors to have the add-on Adapted Physical Education credential, Lavay said.

Working at the physical activity camp programs for children with special needs conducted at the Cal State Long Beach campus during summer and after school provides hands-on experience, Lavay said.

"I can't say enough about this program. Without it, I wouldn't have that extra step at home. The program is instrumental in Charles' complete development," Denise Carlton, mother of the 8 year old, said.

Charles, who is diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder, is finishing his second year as a camp participant. He has become more coordinated and has gained needed upper body strength from the daily swimming activity, Carlton said.

A special bond developed between Charles and one of the camp counselors. He finally was willing to try riding his bike without training wheels because of her support and encouragement, Carlton said.

"He wouldn't do it for me but he did it for her," Carlton said joyfully.

Charles' social skills have blossomed. He was in a full-time special education class last year but will be able to take part in a full inclusion program this fall, Carlton said.

The camp environment brings children of all levels of abilities together. Approximately 10 percent to 20 percent of the campers are not qualified under federal standards of disability but do have special needs, and some are not disabled, Lavay said.

Denysia O'Connell's 7-year-old son Vincent has been a participant since he was 3. Vincent needs help with his motor skill development, and through creative physical activities these abilities and skills are being developed, O'Connell said.

"What's good here is for a child to be able to interact with children with disabilities," O'Connell said. "They learn patience and understanding; how to step back [when there is a misunderstanding]."