“I turned that dial. Then I pressed the button, you know, that said the b-word,” said Michael, a student.
“Do you mean bake?” asked assistant instructor Sueann Beutke.
“I pressed that button, the stove came on, and boom, I was cooking,” he added. “I did it all myself.”
Michael collected a round of high-fives for his efforts.
Compensatory education is a community college program for adults ages 17 years or older with intellectual disabilities or adults who function on a level equivalent to intellectual disabilities as a result of brain injury.
Incorporating their studies on nutrition, the class prepared a morning snack from the food groups which they recently studied — a grilled cheese sandwich, carrot sticks and apple wedges.
Class member Pulani arranged the selections attractively on plates.
Concepts about healthy food choices are reinforced with a pretend grocery store, an outdoor container vegetable garden and cooking projects.
“We teach a lot of life skills,” said instructor Heather Sterne. “Cooking is their favorite activity. Plus, it incorporates a lot of other skills, such as math, measuring, reading and following directions.”
Two classes meet Monday through Friday at the Archdale Center — from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. or from 1 to 4:30 p.m.
A compensatory education class has met at the Asheboro campus since the early 1980s. “We had a lot of students coming [to the Asheboro campus] from the Archdale area,” said Tonya Monroe, RCC coordinator for compensatory education.
The Archdale Center class began in August 2009.
“The program is free,” said Archdale Center Dean Rhonda Winters. “There is no cost, we provide everything — classes and supplies.”
In some cases, transportation is provided and occasionally families donate materials or supplies.
The class curriculum includes the seven required subject areas — language, math, social science, community living, consumer education, health and vocational education.
Nicole enjoys the budget part of the curriculum. She shops for clothing from a catalog, totals the prices and “writes” a check.
The class suits the needs of Justin, who wanted to improve his skills after high school.
Recently, the classes took a field trip to the Archdale Public Library to select books for check out.
Justin selected “Anamorphs,” a book with chapters.
“I enjoy learning how to read better and my writing has improved,” he said. “My favorite part is the cooking.”
Most of the students are in their twenties. In addition to the improvement of academic skills, the class gives the students social contact.
“I like to be around other people my age,” said Brittany, who also appreciates the skills she has learned in her class. “I help them cook at home now,” she added. “We learned how to sew and help other people. It helps me learn to do stuff.”
Parent Wanda Booth sees the impact.
“When Jon graduated, we had to find somewhere for him to go,” said Wanda. “Jon loves school. He is up waiting on the bus every morning. When he comes home he is so proud to show us what he has done. Both of the instructors are wonderful. He is talking more. There is a lot of interaction.”
The greatest measure of the program’s success is that Jon loves it.
“On the weekends he will count the days until it is time to go to school,” Wanda said. “You can’t ask for any more than that. We couldn’t be more pleased.”
Wanda believes that the school is meeting its mission.
“Our goal is to help individuals acquire the basic life skills needed to function successfully in daily living by becoming independent and self-directed and by becoming an active participant in the community through work, socialization, home life and faith,” Tonya said.
Students who apply for the program must provide proof of eligibility as determined by a professional.
Classes are held year round. Spaces are still available for the next semester, scheduled to begin Aug. 16.
For more information or to apply to the program, call Tonya Monroe at 633-0254.
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