Monday afternoon, Becker Middle School students from Angie Schultz’s homeroom were treated to a fantastic field trip to Pebble Creek Grill. The outing is an extension of the students’ course of study, which includes learning independent living stills, as well as functional reading and vocabulary practice.

“Because of our unique needs, our programming focuses on helping our students master the skills they will need to be as independent as possible in their everyday lives,” Schultz says. “A part of our reading curriculum focuses on reading words students would come across in everyday life, such as restaurant words, grocery words, job and work words, etc.  This field trip allows us to practice and demonstrate mastery of the work we have done in our classroom.”

The field trip was sponsored by Tom Wenner, local Horace Mann Insurance agent, who has been very supportive of Schultz’s program over the years. In addition to sponsoring the field trip each year, he has also helped secure adaptive trikes for the program that help to meet the unique needs of each individual student.

“I think this is a great opportunity for me to help Becker students practice the skills they have been learning in class and apply them in a community setting,” Wenner says. “They look forward to this educational field trip and I am fortunate to be joining them for this event.”

Schultz states that she and her classroom are extremely grateful for the support, as it allows a hands-on element for the students.

“This field trip was possible because of Tom Wenner from Horace Mann, and from the support of our administrators: Chantel Boyer, Ted Aleckson, and Stephanie Loesch,” Schultz says. “Their support allows us to put into practice our hard work and also to have celebrations of meeting our goals!”

While the luncheon is special day for everyone in her classroom, Schultz sees it as an extension of the many skills her students have been practicing over the year. 

“Each child has their own unique needs and abilities and their school goals tend to be very individualized, based on what they need,” Schultz says.  “I think the best way to describe our classroom is ‘joyfully unique.’ As I often tell people, if you’re having a bad day, come to my classroom, it will change your whole day. These are the best kids you’ll ever meet, and they truly do bring joy to the world around them.”

While there is important curriculum that is being applied through the field trip, Schultz says that the experience allows students to interact with community members in a way that will be helpful in the future.

“We work on the social aspects of being out in public and this gives our students a chance to practice the communication skills for ordering food and interacting with people in a public setting, as well as advocating for their needs appropriately,” Schultz explains. “Community outings, such as this lunch trip, allow us to put into practice the skills we work on in a more natural setting.”

In addition to recognizing Wenner and her administrators, Schultz was also quick to point out the wonderful paraprofessionals that assist in her classroom on a daily basis, including JoDee VanVoorhis, Allie Revier, Breann Opstad, Katey Fluck, Jessica Pischney and Samantha Beck.

“We are grateful for all of the assistance we receive in helping our students to reach their potential,” Schultz says.  “Our students really enjoy going out into the community together for these special events.”