Special Needs and a Special Field Trip
Five MBU students recently enjoyed a field trip to Zachariah’s Acres (ZA), a faith-based ministry in nearby Oconomowoc whose mission is “to connect children with special needs, and their families, to the miracles of nature so they may know their Creator.” Offering multiple programs throughout the year, the staff relies on volunteers to guide visitors through wildlife and agricultural experiences on their 175-acre farm.
As part of a class project for EDSP 300—Inclusive Classroom Strategies for Exceptional Students, MBU students provided activities at one of ZA’s stations, assisting guests, including those with disabilities, to make paper plate pumpkins, complete worksheets, and read books about fall, while also initiating conversations with caregivers. In a broader scheme, the fieldtrip gave MBU students opportunity to serve the community.
The National Center for Education Statistics claims a total of 7.5 million (“the equivalent of 15 percent of all public school students”) received special education or related services in 2022-23. Though mainstreaming such students is not new, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (superseded by Every Student Succeeds Act) propelled special needs student into inclusive classrooms not just for a subject or two, but for the entire school day. This shift, coupled with an escalating teacher shortage, has intensified demand for qualified teachers. Thus, now is a prime time to pursue an education career, and that’s where Maranatha excels.
MBU Dean of the School of Education Dr. Tad Nuce explains, “Students pursuing a K-9 Elementary Education license can add the SPED license with an additional 12 credits, graduating with two Wisconsin teaching licenses—Elementary Education and Special Education—which makes them especially prepared for any classroom.” As an example of excellence, he notes, “The MBU first-time pass rate for the FoRT (190) [Foundations of Reading] is an impressive 95.6%.” He adds, “We are seeing a number of students receiving scholarships from prospective employers before their final year and student teaching.”
Affirming Maranatha’s product, Assistant Professor Megan Haynes reports that while thanking ZA personnel for hosting the event, “The organizer told me that she had heard great things about the station that MBU students were running. She said one parent told her that those ladies are all ready to be teachers.”
As senior Hallelujah Bradshaw worked with individuals with special needs, something her future job will entail, she declared it “thrilling.” For her, the “biggest draw about the MBU education program is the opportunities it provides to get involved in classrooms and experiences such as Zachariah’s Acres.” It has, she attests, “prepared me to adapt to the needs and challenges.”