Montessori School Style Approach is Implemented at SRVS

Astrid gathered many different types of games and toys to help test the skill levels of the individuals supported at SRVS.

Entering the SRVS Learning Center cafeteria, you will find rows of odds and ends on tables and chairs, and essentially any place you could rest them. You also might find volunteers sorting trinkets, organizing stacks, cleaning dishes, assembling bookshelves and cutting and laminating paper. The center is preparing for the individuals supported by SRVS with people working to get everything organized for the new style of Montessori teaching in the classrooms.

Astrid French, SRVS Learning Center curriculum coordinator, has been gathering items for the classrooms and exercises for the past few weeks. She has a variety of matching games, learning exercises, hand/eye coordination tests, books and more to help individuals with disabilities learn. Astrid has had help from volunteers over the past few weeks with organizing and assembling.

The Montessori style of teaching presents students with the resources needed to learn and allows the

A group of volunteers from Fayetteville, AR, spent a day of their spring break at SRVS organizing items in the learning center.

teacher to step back and observe. Each individual at the learning center will work at their own level and make their own choices. Teachers will assist the people supported and direct them in the right direction, but allow them to learn on their own. This new teaching style allows individuals with disabilities to explore and become more independent.

SRVS is excited about Astrid coming to the agency and implementing this new style of teaching for the individuals supported by SRVS. With eleven classrooms, Astrid will have her hands full teaching techniques and assuring that staff are well trained in the Montessori style of learning, but she is thrilled about the new possibilities. A special thanks goes to all the volunteers who have assisted Astrid in making the new learning center fully equipped and ready for its participants.

The Family Support Program Stays with the Help of Supporters

Governor Bill Haslam has restored $4.5 million for Tennessee’s Family Support program for 2012-2013, and will keep the program as a reoccurring line item in the budget.  We thank our many supporters who advocated on behalf of our program!

While we are encouraged by the news, the state typically has budgeted more than $7 million. We will continue to advocate for funds to at least remain at the current level of $7 million and will need your help in this effort. For more information, contact SRVS’ Family Support Program at 901-869-7787 or visit http://www.srvs.org.

Success With The Rhythmic Arts Project

Eddie Tuduri works with Victor on his colors and beats!

Eddie Tuduri, founder of The Rhythmic Arts Project (TRAP), came to SRVS January 23-25 to train staff members on how to teach basic life skills to people with disabilities by using drums and percussion. Staff members and people supported by SRVS had a wonderful time learning skills and having fun with the drums.

Tuduri taught several groups of people supported by SRVS on Tuesday and Wednesday and made significant progress with them. He sat down with each member in the circle to work one on one with them which increased their levels of confidence and self-esteem. They were smiling from ear to ear while staff clapped in affirmation for them.

Although the group was comprised of people with different skill levels, Tuduri helped each one to learn beats, colors, shapes, repetition, notes, math skills and basic listening skills, all while encouraging each participant. By the end of each session, staff members, visitors and friends of SRVS looked on the participants of the project with pride and contentment at their happiness and progress during the sessions.

The individuals from the day center and SOS Industries had a wonderful time. Each of them worked hard according to their skill level and had a blast!

We appreciate Eddie Tuduri coming to SRVS and kicking off The Rhythmic Arts Project!

SRVS Brings The Rhythmic Arts Project to its Day Center

About 80 people with disabilities who attend SRVS’ Day Center will soon have access to an internationally recognized, percussion-based skills development program created by a former rock drummer after a paralyzing surfing accident.

Using drums and percussion, The Rhythmic Arts Project (TRAP) was created to teach basic life skills to people with developmental disabilities by drummer Eddie Tuduri after his recovery from a paralyzing 1997 body-surfing accident in Northern California. Tuduri will lead TRAP workshops for SRVS staff January 23-25 as the agency incorporates the program into its skills building activities for people attending SRVS’ Day Center.

Troy Allen, Day and Programs Team Leader for SRVS, said that in the years he has led SRVS’ day programs, a wide variety of techniques and activities have been used to help with skills development. He said he was convinced right away that TRAP could be a great addition to SRVS’ new day center curriculum.

“TRAP is one of the most creative and inventive programs I have seen and we are looking forward to incorporating it into our activities,” Allen said. “It’s implementation is part of our ongoing efforts to provide the people we serve with the most effective tools to live fulfilled lives and be as independent as possible.”

Before the accident that paralyzed him from the neck down, Tuduri had drummed for the Beach Boys, Rick Nelson and other well-known music groups. He underwent surgery and rehabilitation, eventually overcoming the paralysis. After regaining sensation in his right hand during recovery, one day Tuduri instinctively began to tap drumsticks on the side of his bed and soon other patients joined in with percussion instruments brought by his friends to a Santa Barbara, CA rehabilitation facility.  That was the beginning of TRAP.

“Through inventive exercises, the program teaches and enhances skills such as maintaining focus, using memory, socialization, turn taking, developing leadership, recognition and use of numbers, shapes, and colors, spatial awareness, motor coordination, following instructions, and communication,” Tuduri said.

Tuduri said introducing TRAP’s rhythmic concept in any arena gives the participants a fun way to approach basic life skills and scholastics that are as enjoyable to learn as it is to teach, making it  “a win- win situation all around.” Building basic life skills is part of a higher mission for the program, that Tuduri has now taken to 35 cities across the country and South America.

“TRAP’s primary objective is to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of everyday life,” Tuduri said.  “We look forward to a world in which people of all abilities are treated with respect and dignity and are free to fully engage in the world around them.”

To learn more about TRAP coming to SRVS, please contact Anthony Hicks, Director of Public Relations & Development, 901-312-6800 or anthony.hicks@srvs.org.