Peninsula High Students Thrive in Out-of-Box Classrooms

GIG HARBOR - While working toward her master's degree in 1995, Dori Mosich wrote the curriculum she uses now as a special education teacher at Peninsula High School. She designed the class Valuing Abilities and started teaching it in 1996. It is listed on the state's course selection, she said.

The students in her class are juniors and seniors and choose to take the class, she said. It is a two-period class, every day, where the students get a hands-on approach to learning. The class parallels the general curriculum, but provides the information in a way that helps these students learn it.

"It's an exploratory class in that it exposes them to, not everything you could come across in your life time, but it gives them an idea, instead of just seeing it on paper, what it would actually look like," Mosich said.

Students learn that a trip to the Goodwill can provide a nice interview outfit for about $20, and interviewing for a job is one of the assignments. Mosich said her goal is to make sure they are employed.

"At school, we're only four years in their life," she said. "What do they understand about how much it takes? What about responsibility, following directions? How do you deal with your manager if you don't like them? It's easy to get a job, but can you maintain employment? It's critical."

Providing a glimpse of real life is important for their success, she said.

"I want them to know what it's going to be like when they no longer have the umbrella support of a parent or they think ‘I have spending money,' but if they don't think to put the money aside to put food in the cupboard, then it doesn't exist," she said.

The class covers everything from grocery shopping, to how to look for an apartment, the costs involved with moving out, and even car insurance.

Mosich's students learn through reading, writing, video and discussion, and then they go into the community and get hands-on answers (and perspective) in person.

Part of the learning process is learning how to recognize a need for help, and asking for it, she said.

"My goal is that the students become informed enough to ask questions. Some of the students I deal with struggle with reading so if you hand them a contract, they'll just sign their name and won't read it. They need to have enough confidence to ask for help."

Part of the syllabus includes volunteer time, she said. It is crucial to their job search, giving them a resume.

"I have four volunteer placements around the school; kitchen, library, custodial, and at the SAVE Thrift Store. They get different experiences, and different job supervisors, so they learn to respond differently in different situations," Mosich said.

The students are then evaluated on skills such as listening to directions and how well they speak. At the end of their four-week volunteer job, they switch to a different one. They can request a letter of recommendation, and use the portfolio to get a job, Mosich added.

"I've been in (special education) by choice my whole career, helping people make successful choices in their community, and being accepted in their community," she said. "It's important for them to be acknowledged for their values and their strengths and not to be looked at for their disabilities."