children as she relates easily to the shy students. She excites and entices the spe- cial-needs and regular-education students alike to share their stories. She engages the students and teaches them about bus safety. Carefully watching her every move, the students often wonder in amazement where the batteries are. How does she talk? I have captured their attention; the trick is to retain it. Ventriloquism does just that. Set the character in motion with a message and we have a winning combina- tion to reach every student at every level. Te younger students are taught the ba-
sics, and, as they are promoted to higher grades, they are introduced to new mate- rial and review the previous year’s lesson. Basic material for the first presentation includes: where to wait for the bus; keep- ing belongings inside their backpacks; handrail usage; staying in their seats; talk- ing quietly; respecting the bus driver and monitor; getting off the bus; and properly crossing the street. Often, these messages can be taught through storytelling and role-playing. Having talent and being a good enter-
tainer and educator does not mean that I am immune to challenges. At the third grade level, it is sometimes difficult to gain the students’ attention. Students at that age sometimes think that they have all the answers. Just when they think they do, a surprise can disarm them. Often, a carefully maneuvered trick appears out of nowhere and gets incorporated into the presentation as part of a story. Te trick demonstrates that there are surprises all around us. Students are warned never to forget to “stop, look and listen” for dan- gers because they appear out of nowhere, just as the magic did. A well-performed trick also arouses students’ curiosity, as it entertains, makes students think, and they all want to know how it’s done. It is then that I am able to direct them to their school or local libraries to further their research. Being an educator today has so many
rewards. Seeing the excitement on a child’s face when you know you have said some- thing to reach them or receiving a hug or a high five when they leave the presentation is all the reward I need to know that I did my job. I made a difference.
www.stnonline.com 27
Whatever tools we choose to reach our youth, we must never forget the greatest tool
of all. Everything we say, everything we do, our tone of voice, our body language and our attitudes play a major role in the message we send to young people. Either we engage a child or leave a child behind. Te BOCES program is designed to reach every child and make them all shine like the stars they are, and I am honored to be a part of it. ■
Astrid Brislan has been employed by the Jefferson-Lewis BOCES as their Safety Trainer since 1998, offering her 18 component school districts, as well as surrounding districts, a number of different safety programs.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60