Special Area Teachers at Lima Primary School have a long history of supporting the work that is being done in the classroom by providing extra support to students throughout the school day. Special Area Teachers include P.E., Music, Art, and Library.
Specials teachers like Kevin O’Connell, Carina Telesca, and Tammy Pulver pull students out of the classroom during their free periods to provide one on one support for students who may be struggling academically, socially, or might simply benefit from one-on-one direction.
O’Connell works with struggling students in the areas of math and reading.
“We work very hard with the teachers to support what they are doing in the classroom. We learn who is struggling with what on an individual basis and go from there,” said O’Connell.
O’Connell explained that while the goal is to help students academically it’s just as important to have this time to build relationships and have a sense of connectivity with the students.
O’Connell works with several students on their reading and math skills. Included in this group of students is an English as a New Language (ENL) student who speaks very little English.
“We go through the alphabet, letter by letter. I say the letter, he repeats it. I write the letter, he traces it. It’s all about repetition,” said O’Connell. “This is a great example of how special area teachers can help the educational system by being able to provide this one-on-one support for students.”
O’Connell went on to say that while he strives to reinforce what students are learning in their classrooms through the use of flashcards and other materials provided by the classroom teacher, he considers himself old school in that he believes that five and six year old’s also need to let loose and be kids. Being a P.E. teacher at Lima, O’Connell gives the second half of their time together to have free play in the gym together, fostering a positive relationship and connection with each other.
Telesca, K-2 General Music Teacher, works with 15 students on Social Emotional Learning (SEL) through Music and Movement.
“The first-grade class that I am working with is struggling with Social and Emotional Issues, so it's more of a support. The 15-member class is hand-picked picked (two from each first-grade class) to receive extra music training so that class is for enrichment,” said Telesca.
Students are provided with extra music enrichment and a learning melodic and rhythmic concepts through the use of classroom Orff Instruments.
Later in the school year, Pulver, Lima Primary Library Media Specialist, will be starting class book clubs where students will have the opportunity to deep dive into books and work on vocabulary and comprehension skills.