Friday, February 25, 2011

The Museum Serves Special Needs Students

You may not know . . . Since 2005, students from The Education Cooperative (TEC) in Dedham have worked as Museum volunteers. These students, with moderate to intensive disabilities, partner with Museum staff to teach arts and crafts, assist with science programs and offer special activities to Museum visitors.

TEC works in partnership with school districts to provide support and access to an array of services designed to address the needs of students with disabilities aged 3-22. TEC staff members are thrilled to partner with the Children’s Museum as well.

The Children's Museum is committed to making hands-on learning experiences possible for all children, regardless of their ability, economic status, cultural heritage, 0r family structure.

According to Thomas Bruffee, TEC transition teacher. . . “perhaps the greatest benefit our students receive is that it builds self-confidence and improves their self-esteem. All of our student volunteers have been made to feel welcome at the Museum and have been given a great deal of positive reinforcement.”

“They take their responsibility very seriously” says Steven Hill, the Museum’s Program and Volunteer Manager “and they love working with kids. In return, we hope to show them what a work environment requires of them. It’s been a win-win situation.”

Serving children of all abilities is a core component of the Museum’s mission. Over the last twenty years, the Museum has also partnered with the Bi-County Collaborative in Franklin, and individual school districts throughout the area.



1 comment:

  1. I have a Deaf child and he would be thrilled if you had a program that partnered with the deaf community. He and his friends have gone to the museum as well as had parties there and their communication is limited. I am sure if you inquired with any of the schools you would easily get student volunteers who would love to interact with these children.

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