The annual Special Olympics South Carolina Area 12 took place on April 15 at the McCracken Middle School track. In attendance was the SHS special education classes as well as students from other schools in Spartanburg, Cherokee and Union counties.
In addition to the elementary, middle and high school Special Olympics, the organization also has several sports teams students can join. This global organization serves over 5 million athletes, 1 million coaches and volunteers, organizes over 100,000 competitions annually and offers 32 Olympic-style sports through programs in more than 170 nations.
Mary Davis is the CEO of Special Olympics.
“People with intellectual disabilities are among the most marginalized and excluded people worldwide. Over the last year, Special Olympics athletes have experienced acute loneliness, anxiety and stress due to their competitions being canceled and the social isolation due to COVID-19,” Davis said in an interview with specialolympics.org.
The event kicks off with a parade around the track, introducing each school competing. Then students will split up and go compete in either the ball throw or a short distance run. After their first event, students will switch events and compete.
The Teacher Cadet classes at SHS buddy up with special education students from SHS as well as McCarthy Teszler for the Olympics.
The Teacher Cadet 2 class has formed a strong bond with these students as they are a part of the Buddy Club. Each Thursday, the class goes down to either Mrs. Hannah Land’s classroom or Mrs. Jada Tower’s class in the gym. These weekly hangouts are a great opportunity for the students to connect with others in the school building.
Hannah Land is one of the Special Ed teachers at SHS.
“I enjoy watching the friendships form between all students during Peer Buddy Club and Special Olympics. I especially love how easily our students get along with each other and how comfortable all students are with their buddies,” Land said.
Teacher Cadet is a Dual Enrollment class that offers students field experience working in a classroom of their choosing. Students learn all about teaching styles, psychology and classroom management in Teacher Cadet. Teacher Cadet 1 is the first-year class where students focus on the cooperating classroom experience in which they go to a classroom in the district for a semester during one class period. Teacher Cadet II focuses on educational psychology with an emphasis on working with special education classes.
Jay Carillo (12) is in Teacher Cadet 2 and has thoroughly enjoyed working firsthand in the education field,
“I never saw myself working with special needs kids but being in the buddy club and working with the special needs students was a great opportunity to explore. Being a teacher cadet has been an eye-opening experience and helped me discover more career opportunities for my future, it’s a great opportunity, I would and have recommended the class to my friends and peers,” Carillo said.
