For two weeks, elementary and secondary schools in Luhans’k have been under a quarantine order. It is my understanding they will reopen tomorrow, but I have not heard, yet. In the meantime, I have still been teaching my class to the graduate and post graduate students. Last Tuesday, we discussed the development of Individual Education Plans (IEP’s). I described the process, steps and individual components of an IEP, including emphasis on the assessment process. The students were enthusiastic and inquisitive. The IEP process is a new concept to educators in Ukraine. Not only are children with disabilities educated in separate schools, but teachers also do not develop individualized programs for them. One of the students told me that this was the best class we have had so far. That comment made me feel good. I really want to present my students with relevant and engaging topics, and I desire to have a positive impact on the education of children and youth here. Dr. Krsek would like to see Ukrainian teachers develop IEP’s for students. She is planning meetings with parents, educators and administrators to introduce them to the concepts of inclusion and Individualized Education Programs. There is much work to done, but I am confident that if we can convince parents, teachers and administrators of the feasibility of inclusion, we can have a positive influence on the lives of individuals with disabilities in Ukraine. Furthermore, the positive impact on society will be profound.
Integration of elementary and secondary schools isn’t the only goal Dr. Krsek is tackling. She is developing a plan to admit deaf students to V. Dahl EUNU, a radical idea for universities in Ukraine. As I have already noted, we are developing a program and a system of supports to ensure students with disabilities have an opportunity to succeed. To this end, Dr. Krsek and her colleagues completed and submitted a grant proposal just a few days ago, and I recently wrote a draft of a second grant proposal for assistive technologies which Dr. Krsek is currently revising. A third grant will be written for the purpose of developing a resource room for the deaf and hard of hearing students at the university.
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I'm starting grow weary of slipping, sliding and falling down. Yesterday, trying to get out of the way of car racing toward me, I fell and hard! No, I’m not clumsy. All of the walks are covered in a thick layer of slick ice, so walking around the city is quite treacherous. People fall of the time. Sasha has fallen twice in two days, and he’s a strong young man. Falling is a common occurrence and a frequent topic, an ice breaker to start a conversation, you might say. I am really looking forward to warmer weather.
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| Watch your step! |
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I am wondering why every night after 11:00 p.m. I have no water.
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| I have been told this is St. Cyril (9th century) , who is credited with codeveloping the Cyrillic alphabet. I do not know if this is correct, as I cannot see the name Cyril in the inscription. This gentleman can found keeping watch in front of the library in downtown Luhans'k. He looks really cold! |
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