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COR Supports
GT has influenced my identity as an education student by helping me incorporate ideas into inclusive classrooms
Gentle Teaching (GT) is a philosophy rooted in the recognition of all people having the right to be treated in positive ways. This helps me to remember that all people are inherently good and deserve the best of any situation. As a result, I debate that GT has positively transformed the person who I am and aspire to be. This is revealed through my transformations of identity as a future teacher and my identity with the person who I support.
GT has influenced my identity as an education student by helping me incorporate ideas into inclusive classrooms. My major in Physical Education and minor in Inclusive Education (Special Education) directed me to define GT in a way I can use in classrooms. GT implies that everyone has the right to be treated with respect and patience and that it is my responsibility to create an environment where everyone’s differences are embraced. This is an environment where no matter peoples race, religion, ability, disability, sexual orientation or other differences everyone deserves quality education that is appropriate for that individual and helps them to progress mentally and physically in a positive way. The use of the Four Pillars of GT: safe, loved, loving, and engaged are also useful part of my philosophy. All four pillars are needed for a student to learn at their full capability. This is because people need to feel safe in their surroundings in order to learn; similar to Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs being necessary for survival. As a result of GT influencing my teaching philosophy my future students will be able to learn and move in a positive space and encourage me to have positive interactions with them.
GT has greatly influenced my relationship with the woman who I support. The Four Pillars along with the Tools of GT: presence, words, hands, and eyes help me to create an environment where Angie feels safe and trusts me. Given the history of institutionalization in Saskatchewan, GT has helped her and I to build a strong relationship that is more than a worker client mentality. We create a space for each other where we can have fun and help each other grow by loving and supporting each other. The use of hands and the element of touch are important to her relationships as she is the first person to want a hug in any situation. Her “squishes” are also important; this is a type of deep pressure therapy which allows her to relax in most situations. These are parts of her relationships that benefit her greatly and were not part of her previous relationships due to philosophy restrictions.
Overall, GT is a positive alternative to traditional philosophies involving people who have disabilities. GT goes beyond support times and into the lives of those who embrace its qualities. This is shown through my identity as a future teacher and my identity as a support person. Not only does GT improve the quality of life of individuals who are supported it also improves that of people who believe in the philosophy and those around them.
Andrew, COR Support
Gentle Teaching really made me assess my own life
Gentle Teaching has transformed the person I am as well as the person I aspire to be in many ways. What started out as a “job” in the beginning, quickly became “spending time with the guys” and this was because of Gentle Teaching. I think essentially, Gentle Teaching allowed me to understand the importance of living in the moment and appreciating the little things in life. I started realizing quickly the opportunities for learning and life experiences that these guys I support had missed out on through their lives because people who were supposed to “care” for them, honestly did not care. Showing them first hand that they are just like everyone else and have the freedom to make their own choices was sometimes anxiety filled. In the end though, not only did they learn something, but I did as well – how much I took for granted in my own life.
Gentle Teaching really made me assess my own life to what I viewed as important and what others thought I viewed as important because these are very different categories. Gentle Teaching has allowed me to view situations from multiple perspectives which enhances my problem solving skills. I think someone cannot fully understand this culture of gentleness until they are fully immersed in it. In order to fully understand the culture of gentleness, it is important to allow yourself to be vulnerable not only with the individuals you support, but your support team as well. I’ve never had a job where I could discuss personal struggles with a coworker and come out feeling more equipped to support rather than being torn down and humiliated. I have truly been blessed with an amazing COR family and continue to grow and thrive because of them. Gentle Teaching quickly becomes a way of life and you begin to realize how often you use it outside of supporting. I look forward to using my experience with the culture of gentleness in my future endeavours of nursing and beyond.
Shelbi, COR Support
4to40 Press Conference: National Disability Employment Awareness Month recognized at the University of Regina
The University of Regina hosted a Press Conference on October 28th, 2016 in celebration of 4to40 and the National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The event was attended by over 100 employers, community leaders, partners and 4to40 job seekers.
We are proud to have Dr. Vianne Timmons, President of the University of Regina, Michael Hoffart, President & CEO of Farm Credit Canada, and Hon. Laura Ross, MLA for Regina Rochdale, support our efforts to increase employment opportunities for all those we serve.
You are true champions of inclusion!
Link to the UofR Article: Celebrating Campus For All
Link to CKRM Article: University of Regina celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month
For more information on Inclusive Employment, visit: www.4to40.ca
4to40 Interview with Patrick, SaskTel and RHSAA Employee — Celebrating Inclusive Employers!
Patrick Flaman is well versed in the working world and is a seasoned member of the Sasktel crew, rockin’ employment there for around two years now. His job provides him with security, friendship and that ever important paycheck; but Patrick was given an opportunity that was hard to refuse. Patrick got a second job. Now one might think: How is more work an opportunity that is hard to refuse?
Patrick was offered a job with RHSAA as a line judge and first down official; but most importantly, he was offered that opportunity to work alongside his best friend Rene. If working with your best friend isn’t enough, Patrick also gets to stay fit running up and down the sidelines, as well as out onto the field with his alma mater, the Campbell Tartans.
When asked about what his favorite thing at his new job was, Patrick got excited and exclaimed, ‘getting to work with my friend, and running out with my boys the Campbell Tartans! They love it when I come out with them and high five me as I leave the field.’
Being a guy who loves physical activity and is involved in any sport he can be a part of, this is a great opportunity! Patrick’s connectedness to ‘the boys’ and his comradery from that group of young athletes is special and can’t really be achieved in many lines of work. How many of you can say that you have torn out onto the grid-iron and ripped through a banner touting your colours and company name on any given Monday morning? What a rush!
In addition to Patrick’s dedication to his work, he is also extremely responsible with his extra cash. Finally, when asked what he planned on doing with his extra paycheck, Patrick said nonchalantly, ‘Probably add it to my RDSP’s. Save it. Save it for a day when I get hospitalized or need it for an emergency.’
Wow!
Employment can be all that and a bag of chips. You just have to find the right job!
Thanks Patrick!
To learn more about Inclusive Employment, visit: www.4to40.ca.
Ben Morris,
Community Education and Outreach
4to40 Interview with Austin, SARCAN Employee — Celebrating Inclusive Employers
Austin has been passionate about recycling for as long as he can remember. In his spare time he cleans up his neighborhood and is always looking for ways to help out the environment. If there is a will there is a way, and Austin’s will is what pushes him to research all the different ways to reduce waste and maintain a healthy planet! That is why a job in recycling could not be better suited for him!
At age 17, Austin has done what so many people fail to do in a lifetime. Find a job which they can care passionately about and make a solid living while doing it. His partnership and employment at Sarcan Recycling is his avenue for success, but Austin’s deep well of knowledge on the subject of recycling helps him in his everyday work.
Austin’s attention to detail helps him with sorting and knowing the exact right way to care for all recyclables. Have you ever noticed that every plastic vessel that you buy has a number attached to its recycling instructions? Austin knows! He also knows what that plastic is made of and where you properly dispose of that vessel.
When asked about his favorite part of his job, Austin simply said, “the fact that I am recycling. Well, and helping the environment.” Austin also took some time to elaborate on his perfect dream job to which he said, “If I could work anywhere I think it would be where I am working — at Sarcan. Or Crown Shred. That would be cool.”
In addition to being a great worker and citizen, Austin is humbly responsible. To be fair, at 17 one doesn’t have a lot of expenses, but he manages to save most of his paychecks every two weeks. “It’s nice to have money. Especially when I want to buy something big.” He does however splurge with twenty dollars every pay day to celebrate his hard work.
Finally, when asked what his favorite part of being on a team is, Austin said, “that we are all recycling together and making a bigger difference. More people recycling is better for the planet.”
Austin’s experience in the workplace is still fresh and new, but faced with the temptations of the everyday, he manages to stay true to himself and his strict code. When we work together we can create the greatest change. Great work Austin! Thanks for keeping us all in check brother.
To learn more about Inclusive Employment, visit: www.4to40.ca.
Ben Morris,
Community Education and Outreach
4to40 Interview with Rene, RHSAA Employee — Celebrating Inclusive Employers!
Work.
Work pays the bills.
Work helps create identity and gives meaning to our day.
Often overlooked is the less obvious face of work which is connection. Work connects us to people that we often wouldn’t have the opportunity to rub shoulders with, and work is often the soil of which great friendships and relationships are nourished. For Rene, work is opportunity! Not only does he get to earn a fair wage and paycheck, but he gets to be involved in sport. Which is something that Rene also truly values.
Rene is a field judge and yard stick holder for the Regina High School Football League (RHSAA), which not only puts him right in the middle of the action, but it allows him to be active as well. When asked about his favorite part of his job and being part of a team, Rene jovially laughed and said, ‘running back and forth and getting lots of exercise!’
In addition to getting exercise and being part of the action, Rene noted that ‘[he is] lucky to get to work with [his best friend] and some new people too.’ Also highlighted here are the social aspects of the job where he gets to eat pizza with his boss, and hang out with new colleagues and friends.
Rene and his best friend Patrick were given the opportunity to face the challenges of a new work place beside one another. Together they are learning to count on each other and together they are teaching each other how to be accountable. These skills are not only great to have in friendship, but they are also foundational in the work place.
I asked Rene what he planned to do with all of the money he was making from his new job, to which he replied, ‘I dunno. Save up for my trip to Calgary, or a new guitar. Even go out on the weekends to meet up with my friends.’
For Rene, working one or two nights a week affords him the ability to dream for himself and write his own life story. Having a steady paycheck changes a trip with friends to Calgary from being a fleeting thought in conversation and empty promise to one’s self, to an attainable goal. Thanks to the equal opportunities provided by the RHSAA, both Rene and the organization have benefited significantly.
To learn more about Inclusive Employment, visit: www.4to40.ca.
Ben Morris,
Community Education and Outreach