Peer Tutoring Special Needs

Peer Tutoring Special Needs: Peer Facilitating Special Needs allows typically developing students to mentor students who have moderate to significant disabilities in the life skills and/or functional academics classroom.  The main job of a peer facilitator is to model exemplary social skills and behavior for students in special education classrooms.  Peer Facilitators will be held to high expectations, both inside, and outside of the classroom.  While assisting students, peer facilitators will learn: how to engage with learners of all abilities, a variety of different methods of communication and teaching/learning styles, how to respond to challenging behaviors, how to work as part of a team, and how to be flexible and think quickly on your feet.  Grades are based on 50% on in class participation and 50% on weekly homework assignments.  Students may repeat Peer Facilitating Special Needs multiple times as the curriculum is different every semester.   Descriptions of each setting are as follows:

Life Skills: Peers who are placed in the life skills classroom with work alongside one or more life skills students each day, assisting them in completing their daily tasks.  Depending on the period, peer facilitators will have the opportunity to work with students in the life skills classroom in the community, doing jobs around the school, in elective classes and/or during modified PE, and in the life skills classroom.  Students will have to opportunity to work one on one, and in a small and large group settings with a variety of students.  Peers will have extensive training from classroom support staff on procedures and guidelines regarding specific students.  Ongoing support and mentorship will be provided to peers throughout the semester from classroom staff. 

Functional Academics: The functional academics class is a classroom for students who are working on more academics such as time, money, budgeting, resume writing and social skills.  Students who request to work in the Functional Academics class will be working alongside one or more students in helping them complete their functional academic work or doing in school jobs.  Depending on the class period, Peer facilitators will also have the opportunity to work with students in the community and elective classes.  Peers will have extensive training from the special education teachers on procedures, guidelines, and functional learning programs.