001I learned many different things. I learned to talk more with my classmates, to be competitive, and lots of different sports. PEOPLE program is um our inclusive PE class. It's where we partner with tutors and students to meet the needs of all our students. This course is twofold. So, we start with the PEOPEL tutor training class. The PEOPEL PE training course is a semester long course where Tom Syska, my counterpart, trains students that have been accepted and came highly recommended from their prior PE teachers as being compassionate, empathetic, caring, just wonderful individuals. The first part of it, they learn about all the disabilities and we go over what the disability is, what we might see in class. We're teaching them different strategies to connect to have students participate and then how to adapt physical education and
002fitness activities, typical ones that we do in class. Then they're taught how to break down the certain skills. I show them how the students might complete that skill and then how they can help them. So when they're in the actual class, they know how to do it kind of on their own without the teacher's assistance. Once they pass that class, they become PEOPEL tutors where they're working with students through a variety of activities. They're building friendships. For tutors, it develops those leadership skills, those communication skills, and an understanding of diversity. I learned deeply about communication, especially with the kid I work with. He might not be able to hold like an entire conversation, but just learning like how to communicate with him through emotions, his facial expressions, it really works your communication and your patience.
003Beyond the gym class, I have met so many tutors and so many students that I see in the hallway sometimes and they're always like, "What's up, Laraibe? Hi, Laraibe." And it just brings like light to my day. In regards to the Ultima students, I believe seeing them with their peers and developing a friendship with the tutors, the connection is very genuine. And in regards to the tutors, overall I think the experience makes them a better person. Uh teaches them a lot of patience, how to truly help others. I learned that there's so many people that you can work with and meet and it's good to have this background and it's good to like work with students you don't normally work with. I really want to help the people around me cuz when you help these
004kids they they're just so happy and it it makes you feel like a whole new different person. To me, one of the greatest things is the inclusion. When I was here at Stagg, we really didn't see the students in the Ultima program. And I think just the collaborative daily impact they have on each other is something that trickles out to the rest of the school. When I play basketball, my friends come out and play with me and they cheer me on. I see the tutors in my class all over the school building. It is nice to see so many familiar faces. I also see them in clubs like the Hangout. This class is beyond beneficial for both um the tutors and the students. I cannot say how many relationships are built in this, in
005this little community that we have here with our PEOPEL program. Peer support changes everything for students with disabilities. It builds belonging, a sense of confidence, meaningful opportunities and meaningful experiences. Together they learn that being different is not less. It's very powerful.