Yucaipa teachers receive special rewards from their special kids

Near the end of each school year, Diliberto along with special education teachers, Hope Gutierrez and Mary McDonald reward their kids with a recreation day. A day called, "Spring Recreation Day 2009," that is just for the youngsters, ages 14 to 22, to play games, barbeque, socialize, and simply have fun.

So recently the three teachers took the kids to Yucaipa Community Park. They tossed Frisbees, played basketball and water balloon volleyball. Later they munched on hot dogs and chips and received awards that brought smiles and cheers as each youngster walked up to the three teachers and had medals placed around their necks. Much like Olympians do after winning an event.

17-year-old Mo Ortiz beamed as he walked past his cheering classmates and friends to the front of the group. He smile widened as his gold medal was placed over his neck. He posed for a picture with his three teachers. And he gave his teachers a huge hug before reluctantly leaving the "podium."

"Everybody gets a medal and special certificate," said Gutierrez. "This day makes them so happy. It's such a joy that they have to get out and have fun."

Getting out into the community is one of the main goals in teaching special needs kids important life skills. For the barbeque, the kids planned the event and even went on a shopping trip with the help of teachers' aides. They decided what they would eat. They made a grocery list and each kid picked out an item to buy.

"They learn all kinds of life skills," Diliberto said. "They know how to ride the city bus. They know how to go to the grocery store and they cook every week. For (recreation day) they picked the menu and voted on it, and they each had an item to purchase at the store."

McDonald said that it is important that special needs kids learn life skills to become as independent as possible.

"They must learn to make decisions and be as self supporting as possible at their level," she said. "We teach them to make decisions like what movie to go to, what to wear, what to cook, and they learn social skills and how to ask questions if they have a problem."

But the three special education teachers also have the help of Yucaipa High students. Students who volunteer in programs such as "Best Buddies."

Cameron Meador, a 17-year-old senior is a peer tutor and best buddies volunteer. "We partner up with them to create lasting friendships by hanging out with them," Meador said. "We hang out with them at lunch time and help them with talent shows and we take them on trips to places like Knott's Berry Farm."

For 20 years, Scott Salinas was a social worker. But he wanted something more, something that would make a difference in the lives of others facing challenges most people take for granted. So Salinas, a student teacher in the district, has embarked on a career as a special education teacher.

"I enjoy working with these students because they appreciate everybody for who they are," Salinas said. "They don't judge and they give back much more than we can ever give back to them."