New Visions students take amazing field trip to Lexington School for the Deaf

Real-life, experience-based learning is a hallmark of Career & Tech education and the New Visions programs are no exception, where immersion into subject matter can include some "amazing" field trips.

This past May, students in Happy Scherer's New Visions: Human Services & Special Education class culminated their unit on deaf culture with what Scherer describes as "an amazing visit to the Lexington School for the Deaf in Queens." Their bus was paid for by the Scotia-Glenville service learning program, of which three of the New Visions students were members. The students set out on the field trip well prepared.

Scherer reports, "As part of our unit on deaf culture, the students read a wonderful book called Train Go Sorry, which was written by the daughter of a former superintendent of the Lexington School. The book not only talks about the history of deaf education and deaf culture in the U.S., but also follows the stories of several high school students at Lexington. It's a wonderful book."

She added that her students also spent a morning in the Capital Region BOCES Deaf/Hard of Hearing classes in Westmere Elementary School in Guilderland. A few of the students studied American Sign Language via distance learning or through Schenectady County Community College.

When the New Visions students arrived at Lexington School for the Deaf, they toured the facility and observed in some classrooms. The principal, who is deaf, had her assistant interpret. The students saw all types of teaching environments and some great technology. They enjoyed a pizza lunch with 12th grade members of the Lexington student council, during which they were taught to finger spell their names and given name signs. All of the students, New Visions and Lexington alike, shared their plans for after high school. Afterward, a Lexington social worker facilitated role play among students, acting out how hearing and deaf worlds interact in dating, shopping, restaurants, etc.

"We also had a chance to ask some serious questions," Scherer noted. "For example, one of my students asked Lexington students if they would have cochlear implants for their children if they were born deaf. One of the deaf students asked why hearing people might pity the deaf. The kids were all very open and hung on every word and sign."

 Students from both worlds interacted quite comfortably, Scherer added, and emails and myspace names were shared! They capped their day by watching the rehearsal of a play to be performed in sign language that was written by the Lexington students. "I have rarely spent a day that was so glorious in every way. Talk about learning coming alive!" said Scherer.

New Visions: Human Services & Special Education is an honors-level course for high school seniors that meets at St. Catherine's Center for Children in Albany. Learn more

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