Batch 6: Career Service Write-Up

Career Service Advisor
This week I attended Cal State Monterrey Bay.  I have liked my internship so much that I wanted to get more information on the special education program at CSUMB.  I plan to graduate ASU this coming spring and I would like to apply to graduate school this summer.  My internship has given me an idea of what it is like to teach children with all different kinds of disorders.  I really enjoyed my experience working with children who have special needs and the possibility of me going to grad school and getting my teaching credential. I met with a career advisory at the college and discussed the application process.  In order to apply I need to take the CBEST, which is a reading, writing, and math test.  I also need a GPA of 2.5 or higher which I already have and 3 letters of recommendation to be submitted with my application.  I am really excited to start the process of applying for graduate school.  Since the interview I have made arrangements to take the CBEST.  I have asked 3 people some of which have supervised me during my internship to write me recommendation letters, and I have filled out the application.  So hopefully in the near future I will be accepted to start summer '16!

Batch 6: Free Write Death of a Student

It was a horrible day for The Bay School, one of its most beloved students passed away.  The Bay School had never encountered such a tragedy as a death of one of its students before.  The student had been sick and hospitalized for sometime but it was a complete shock when the news came.  Everyone was called into the conference room and it was announced.  There was not a dry eye in the building and everyone was mourning the loss.  We sat in that room for hours crying and sharing stories of how that student had affected each one of our lives.  The organization in which I intern has policies and procedure for just about everything but not this.  The news was delivered to us as soon as the director received it and there was no protocol of what would happen next.  This got me thinking should there be a procedure in place in educational organizations if there is a death and what would that procedure/policy look like.  Somethings I thought the organization could of done better: I think the school should have waited until the end of the day the announce the bad news.  Announcing it during work caused emotional chaos and many people could not even work after finding out the news.  Also, no one told parents of students at the school until a week later which seemed to be a little late.  Lastly, I think having some sort of counsling could of been called to help people start to process this unfortunate circumstance.  Even though I think the organization has many strengths, I think The Bay School could benefit from having a policy/and or protocol for student deaths.

Batch 6: Free Write Dressing as an Intern

I am writing about dressing as an intern only because at my internship I see so many interns inappropriately dressed and thought it would be a good read for those of  you interning right now. Dress for the job you want not the job you have.  How you choose to dress each morning reflects how you feel about your job and that you take your position seriously, that you are ready to work and that you pay attention to detail and know what you expect to encounter that day. You wouldn’t go to a construction site in your favorite four inch stilettos, right? Of course not, you’d go in a hard hat, because it’s appropriate for the situation. Appearances matter!  I am only writing this because I see this all too much and the interns aren't the only one breaking the dress code.  Here's a list of helpful pointers of what not to wear to work. Enjoy!

1. Uggs - They are comfortable but they look like slippers for pajamas.  If it looks like something you go to sleep in leave it at home.
2. Sweatshirts and sweatpants - Again, it is just not professional same thing goes for basketball shorts!
3. Spandex leggings/yoga pants - Please save these for Pilates class its just not appropriate to wear at work not even as a layer underneath a skirt and defiantly not alone by itself.
4. Message Tees - It may be cute or funny or so totally true to you, but you never know how other people are going to react. You might be an Italian Princess or The World’s Greatest Mom, but those honorable titles are best kept for your weekend wear.
6. Too much make-up/no make-up - Too much make-up and you look like a clown, it's distracting!  a little make-up goes a long way.
7. What you wore yesterday - Most intern don't make a whole lot of money but you should be able to rotate more than 1 day.
8. Hats - It looks like your hiding your face and you can't be trusted, please abstain from wearing at work.
9. Long finger nails - It looks unkempt and sends the wrong message of poor hygiene.
10. Wrinkled/torn clothing - If you don't own an iron i highly encourage you to go out and get one.  Wearing wrinkled clothes can make you look frumpy.  Same with ripped or torn jeans (even if they were expensive).

Batch 6: Strengths of a non-profit

What are the strengths of your organization?

1. Strong Leadership
The Bay School has the proper organizational system to allow them to work to their capacity and be supported in their work.  People progress together and the progression together touches the deep seated value for social cohesion.  The organization as a whole is compassionate, has good work ethic, high integrity, and humility.  
2. Enthusiasm
Staff feels some degree of fulfillment and worth while contribution which leads to enthusiasm and performance.  Those I work with are excited about what they do which creates a positive atmosphere to work in.  Staff is motivated by the organization and therefore is enthusiastic about the work.
3. Empathy
The Bay School has a great understanding for the feeling of another person.  This organization understands that sometime people have bad days or that sometimes life happens outside of work.  All staff member have paid-time off and sick days for these purposes.  I think they offer reasonable time off to ensure employee satisfaction. 
4. Self Improvement
The Bay School always looks for ways in which they can be more efficient.  The administration holds meetings in which they discuss self improvement.  They take suggestions from staff and employees as well as participate in surveys to better understand their own strengths and weaknesses.  When improvement is needed they actively work to find solutions to problems.
5. Creativity
This organization has expertise in many different areas like speech and language, autism spectrum disorders, behavioral analysis, to name a few.  Administration, teachers, staff, and all employees are able to collaborate ideas with many different minds and come up with creative solutions to specific areas of concern. 
6. Develop Others
Most importantly this organization values their employees and encourages development within the organization.  This organization does pay for schooling for those want to continue their education in the special education field.  About half of their employees are graduate students at CalState.

If you were in charge of a similar organization, are there any things you would do differently?
Since this is my first go at being in an educational setting in which I am not a student I am not sure that there is a lot I would change.  I am more than happy of my experience interning here.  I have helped my develop my skills in a wide range of areas from data analysis to voice inflections of a teacher.  I defiantly recommend this organization for anyone looking to get some experience in the non-profit sector..  

Batch 5: Free Write ABA instructional Method

The Bay School's education and treatment approach is based on the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA), an intervention program that applies principles of behavior to learning.  ABA is monitored by objective data measures to assess desired outcomes.  Skills are systematically taught through highly structured individualized and and small group teaching sessions.  The defining characteristic of  the instructional program is the use of explicit and systematic instruction.  These instructional strategies are used both in highly structured settings and in more natural setting, as means of facilitating generality and increasing motivation of children with Autism and other developmental disabilities.  Teaching procedures such as direct instruction, discrete trial teaching, precision teaching, observational learning, and incidental teaching are used to teach each student meaningful skills to maximize participation at school, at home, and in the community.  In my weeks at The Bay School I have seen first hand the significant changes made to students behavior and learning with the ABA approach.  I had the misconception that a behavioral approach might be cold and rigid.  But even through ABA is a science, the creative teachers make it into an art as well!

Batch 5: How does your organization demonstrate public service and/ or urban governance?

I think The Bay School, the school I intern for, organizes the day to day management of the school in many ways.  From the highly trained staff to the director, this school is a well oiled machine.  Every morning staff check in with the teachers and the teachers check in with the administration.  It is a highly organized system of checks and balances.  The Bay School employs over 80 staff members.  The curriculum is determined by teachers and administration together and is individualized for each student depending on the need of each student.  The administration shows great dedication to the students and their needs.  The Director has also shown great ambition in achieving a super program designed on teaching students new skills and documenting the progress in reports and charts.  They have proven effective leadership that is demonstrated by the progress of each student.  This is a great company to work for and I look forward to what the future might bring!!

Batch 5: Free Write Havest Festival at my Internship

October 30th was a great day at the internship.  The school prepared an all day event for its students called the Harvest Festival 2015.  There was food of all kinds chips, pizza, cake, cookies, and beverages of all kinds!!  There was ghostly music playing on loud speakers and games and activities for all the students to participate in.  I shadowed one of the students who has severe challenging behavior.  The students parent's came to show their support, but as soon as the student saw his parents he wanted to go home.  It was interesting to watch his teacher try and shape him into a better place where he wasn't so anxious and wanted to leave the party.  The student was able to participate in the party for 5 minute increments and then went back to his normal school day and went about business as usual.  By the end of the party the student did not want to leave the party and he was actually excited to be apart of the party.  This kind of work was really meaningful for me to observe.  I really feel as if my internship has made me think very hard about continuing my education and getting my special ed teaching credential.  I graduate next semester and am now applying to schools to further my education in special ed!

Batch 5: Free Write Life as an Intern

Life as an intern has been a lot of fun.  I have gotten to work side by side with teachers and students.  I feel like I now have a better idea of what life is like as a teacher and I am really enjoying my experience.  I have learned a lot about how to make daily lesson plans and how to prepare for the day.  I have also learned some teaching strategies, how to get students to attend, and proactive strategies for student learning.   Sometimes, interning has its challenges.  It is not easy being the one who has to do the menial work like chores, classroom cleanup, and data entry.  Although interning has its challenges, I have got a lot of experience doing meaningful work.  This week I got to sit and chat with some of the students.  I even got to teach a little bit.  I was teaching prepositions in, on, and under.  I presented the teaching materials that I made and sat with a student and ran a few work trials!  It was a lot of fun and I can't wait until I can do even more.  This week has been the best week yet!