I have worked in Patrick Henry Middle School’s R.I.S.E.

department (self-contained special

education classrooms) for 5 years. My most impactful attribute, I think, is finding ways to connect with

each individual student. One way I do this is through basketball. I love basketball, and so do many of my

students. In the past, a few of my students have showed interest in playing on the school team but have

been denied the chance for a variety of reasons. This always bummed me out because sports, especially

at the middle school level, are much more about building relationships and work ethic than the actual

game. I decided to enquire about the possibility of these students playing on the team if I joined them to

help facilitate drills. Administration, parents, and the students all approved, and so began the nearly

two-month basketball season.

One surprising way that this related to my professional growth as an educator was that I got to

practice advocating for my students. The more time I spend in special education, the more I realize how

important this will be. Throughout the entire experience, I had to advocate for these students to

administration, to their teachers, to their coaches, to their parents, to their student peers, and

sometimes even to the students themselves. None of these groups were explicitly against the inclusion

of these students, but they certainly had their questions. Some of these questions regarded safety, while

others regarded logistics (transportation was perhaps the biggest hurdle). I learned that advocating can

be complicated. I learned that advocating can be complicated. There isn’t always a right or wrong

answer. The important thing, I learned, is to have the conversations and make sure that any decision is

made after considering different perspectives.

I also enjoyed getting a chance to facilitate legitimate inclusion. Perhaps the most rewarding

aspect of the experience was in the hallways during the school day. Before the basketball season, the

students involved were extremely shy in the hallway. This made some sense though because, outside of

their self-contained classroom, they didn’t know may other students. Even as the season began, the

students were quite shy at practice. By the end of the season, we couldn’t go through a transitional
hallway period without stopping eight times to say high to their fellow teammates. It provided me with

personal, first-hand evidence of the power of inclusion. My student’s school experience was objectively

enhanced. Additionally, this had a positive affect on the general education students who were involved.

Those student relationships are still alive and will continue as they enter high school.

Lastly, I learned that I really do love what I do. I never once thought of it as a chore. I was

legitimately excited about each opportunity to go to practice, even though I wouldn’t get home until

well after the sun set (I revel in the limited amount of sun we get in the winter). It gives me a sense of

confidence that I am going into this field for the right reasons. I was an educational assistant for 3 years

before I started at Dakota State. I knew I enjoyed special education before I started my education, so I

decided to get my bachelors so I could better provide financially for my wife and future children. I would

sometimes wonder if I was going to college for extra money or because I truly wanted to be an

educator. This community service, along with a variety of other reasons, has helped put my mind at

ease.

My community service experience has been an overwhelmingly positive one. It allowed me to

combine two passions of mine: special education and basketball. While it was a small sacrifice of time, it

helped me practice advocating for my students, it gave me a chance to facilitate inclusion outside of the

classroom, and it helped me realize that I really do have a passion for education. Even though my

required community service hours have been fulfilled, I continue to advocate for inclusion in all sports

and continue to attend all practices and games with my students.