Friendships form when students lend a helping hand to one another.
Timber Creek High School was founded in the fall of 2009, and the Partner PE program began the following year. This physical education course is outlined to be inclusive to peers as well as students with disabilities working towards character development and community between classmates. Coach Tina DeMichele had initially brought the idea from her past teaching position at another school.
“I was here when we first opened up the school so I asked to start the program; I really wanted to bring it here to Timber Creek,” Coach Demichele stated, “So now, I have been overseeing it for eight years here.”
The underlying mission of all Partner PE classrooms is to benefit both the disabled students and the peers they are working with on a daily basis. In addition to the apparent perks of physical activity, this unit strives in the vicinity of community.
“I feels like this helps to make the peers aware of more things and develop compassion. For the students, I want them to feel a part of the school and not just in their own secluded classrooms. Hopefully they feel beyond just that,” DeMichele differentiated.
The peers expressed the same hope. Freshman, Alyssa Ramos, had experienced the similar compassion prior to joining the Partner PE course.
“I used to play with my neighbor [who was] special needs, so growing up with her made me interested in this,” Ramos detailed the warmth she continuously appreciated, “This helped me open my eyes to how you are very fortunate in life and that others may not have the blessings you do.”
This class, including many more, will be participating in the Special Olympics competition. The Annual Chad Powell Memorial Special Olympics Track Meet will be hosted by Keller ISD at Fossil Ridge High School on Wednesday, March 8. This function highlights the many talents the students had refined with the help of their peers, coaches, and families.
“Students from all different school districts, even the group homes, are coming to compete,” DeMichele said, “The adult volunteers will run the events and the student peers will take them around to those events.”
Among those competing is Mikayla Langan. Contesting in her favorite sport, basketball, she tirelessly takes the chance to shoot at the hoop whenever she can. In and out of class, Langan is supported and encouraged by her friends.
Partner PE continues to connect students of all walks of life, creating infallible friendships.
“I like coming to PE because I get to see all my friends,” Langan said, “Seeing my partner is my favorite part.”
