Subscribe to NewsExamples of Engagement
Sally Bailey
Professor Sally Bailey and Drama Therapy students collaborate with Manhattan public schools and parents to organize Drama Therapy Camp for disabled children.
Impact on Student Learning:
The immersion of working with teens with moderate to severe disabilities on a daily basis greatly increased K-State students' knowledge, skills, and comfort level in working with students with these needs. They became very adept at making accommodations that focused on the strengths and adapted for the weaknesses of the campers, at encouraging the campers to participate, and at handling behavior problems and emergencies.
Impact on Faculty Teaching:
Being able to bring a beginning class of drama therapy students over to interact with the campers was a fantastic educational experience. Students were at first taken aback by the severe physical and cognitive issues faced by the campers, but then worked through their feelings of discomfort and doubts about whether it was possible to do drama with these kids to realize that everyone is a person and everyone can enjoy drama. I can't teach these concepts through lecture - only through allowing students to have a personal experience.
Impact on Community:
Parents and public school partners were very pleased that these children had opportunities to participate in a summer camp where the children would be able to be social, have fun, get exercise, and be creative.