Today was the most special day and one that I’m sure I’m not going to be able to put into adequate words. I had the privilege of working with some of the most exceptional students I’ve ever worked with – the students of Alden Road Exceptional Student Center. I spent the morning with Ethan and Alan teaching magic tricks to students with exceptionalities – physical and mental challenges that would dampen the spirit of most of us. Yet, somehow, these kids were filled with life and laugher that was only magnified with the mastery of each trick.
Erik Hart, the executive director of the Florida Theatre (the sponsor of the workshop and the performance on Saturday night) met us at the school bright and early. We started promptly at 8:15am with our first group of students. The morning moved along smoothly from class to class until we had completed five sessions by 12noon. Teachers were impressed and enthusiastic by the skills their students achieved in such a short amount of time. And many of the kids came to the front of the room to perform for their classmates.
Katie and Kendall, also from the Florida Theatre, joined us mid-morning to watch and experience the Hocus Focus Project in action. After we wrapped up the morning session “The K-girls” took us to lunch – a chance to relax after a busy morning. After lunch, we made our way back over to the Alden Road Student Center for a 1:15pm workshop with the teachers. This was an opportunity for them to learn the tricks in a different environment and think through the potential benefits for their students. We had a great time – what a fantastic day!
Tomorrow morning, we’ll do workshops again with another group of students starting at 8am. After the workshops, we’re on our way to Flagler Auditorium in Bunnell for a show on Friday night and then back to Jacksonville for the performance on Saturday.
Dear Kevin,
Thank you so much for the love you shared with all of our kids…It is a rare and wondrous thing when outsiders have the same love and compassion for them as we do. Josh’s behavior was immensly improved after beinng your special helper for those two days. He has difficulty interacting appropriately at times and this experience helped him make giant strides in that area. Karen loved demonstrating the dollar bill trick, and caught the paper clips..:-). I demonstrated the added rubber band to the dollar bill trick before I began each class and my students loved it and and stayed focused on my lesson for the remainder of each period. I am very much looking forward to seeing the performance tomorrow night..Thank you again..and Ethan and Alan as well..”those other guys whose name I can’t remember” as one of my students wrote to you..
Sincerely,
Meredith Reno, Alden Road Exceptional Student Center
Meredith, it was such a privilege for us to be at Alden School. I’m excited to hear about the immediate results from our two days with you.
I hope you enjoyed the show! I’ll look forward to seeing all of you again on our next visit to Jacksonville.
Kevin
Dear Kevin,
I think it’s mad cool that you wrote about my school =)
Thank you for coming we had a nice time with u n your friends hope you come back next year, maybe next time I can go with my family to see your show when your back in Jax.
Thanks again!!!
(p.s I’m the 1 that had her writs raped up if it makes it easier to remember lol)