Course Descriptions

Academic Development 101 is a course designed to build skills that students will use for the rest of their life, increasing their independence. The instruction is focused within the functional context of home, school, work, and community environments focusing on functional reading and mathematical concepts. The skills that may be covered in the Academic Development 101 course include: functional reading, recognizing community and safety signs, writing/spelling, recognizing holidays, basic math, time management, money skills, knowledge of current or historical events, and activities that support fine motor skills. The mission of the Academic Development 101 course is to help students become functioning members of their own communities to the fullest extent possible through a functional blend of academics and life skills.

Academic Team Building 201 is a course focused on building academic skills while working together as a team. Students collaborate to reach individual and group goals. In the Academic Team Building 201 course, team-building activities are a focus as functional teams are one of the mechanisms used by employers to develop a sustainable and positive culture.

Academy of Fine Arts 201 is a course designed to provide students with an opportunity to explore a variety of art forms. Students often use art forms as a means of creative expression. This course will enrich and enhance arts concepts and mediums within student’s daily lives.  The course maintains a balance of traditional and innovative instruction in small-class settings to accommodate individual interests and needs.  Students will explore photography, painting, architecture, and theater.

Advisory is a course designed to develop students' executive functioning, social-emotional, and transition skills. Advisory is a key time for helping students to build trusting relationships and become invested in doing their part to create a vibrant and healthy school community. This course allows students to prepare for the school day ahead of them, complete coursework, set goals, and develop study skills. Advisory is intended to celebrate diversity, build a positive school culture, create a community of learners, develop communication and critical thinking skills, all while connecting students to the world, both past and present.

The Applied Academics 201 course has a functional reading, writing and math focus.  Students will work on improving their academic skills by putting these skills to use in practical applications and situations.  Having functional academic skills will help students transition to adulthood to live and work more independently.

Bon Appetit 201 is a course where students will immerse themselves in cultures different from their own. This course examines components of traveling the world and the opportunities the broader world has to offer through videos to experience the sights, sounds and tastes. Students research popular dishes from around the world and have an opportunity to select and prepare ethnic recipes. Students will be asked to keep a journal of thoughts, reflections, and perspective on their cooking and cultural experiences.

Book Club 201 promotes the love of literature in a positive, nurturing environment. Book Club 201 aims to bring a community of students together to share their ideas about a book they have read or listened to.  In Book Club 201, students will be asked to demonstrate compression skills and give their perspectives orally and in writing. 

The Clubs and Community Excursions course will allow students to participate in clubs and community outings in an effort to expand their thinking and interests. The Clubs and Community Excursions course will encourage students to develop leadership skills within an environment of their peers, improve academic performance, practice social skills, and help students discover new passions and hobbies, while developing life skills.

To view the Clubs that have been offered at TEC, please click here. 

Community Participation 101 prepares students to act appropriately in social situations and how to improve on those skills. Service Learning helps students develop strong character traits such as being trustworthy, respectful, caring, reliable, and being a good citizen. In the Community Participation 101 course, students learn to work together and gain valuable social skills. They also learn how to be creative and how to problem solve. To be successful at work and play, young adults must have good social skills!

Create and Cardio 201 is a dynamic class designed to invigorate both body and mind through a blend of physical activity, board/card games and creative projects. Students will engage in energizing activities to promote fitness, creative thinking, as well as  hands-on crafting sessions that inspire creativity and fine motor skills. Emphasis will be placed on building vocabulary, following directions, fostering teamwork, and practicing sportsmanship. Through interactive and fun activities, students will also learn the importance of turn-taking and effective communication. This course aims to develop a well-rounded set of skills, combining the benefits of physical exercise with the joys of creative expression. 

Executive Function Skills For Life 201 is a course designed to expose students to a variety of cognitive and self-management skills.  Developing these skills provides students with the opportunity to enhance their lifelong learning and promote career and academic success.. Preparing young adults for success requires hands-on learning where students are engaged and gain meaningful experiences. With this in mind, the Executive Function Skills for Life 201 course will seek to expand their knowledge of community resources pertaining to college and career opportunities.

The Foundations in Entrepreneurship 201 course will introduce the students to the topic of entrepreneurship.  This course explores traits of entrepreneurs and leaders, examines examples of entrepreneurship, and provides guidelines for effective communication and dealing with conflict.  This course will also highlight the basis of economics and finance, introduce marketing concepts, and explore opportunities in how to grow a business.

Independent Study 201 is perfect for students with well-defined goals and motivation to complete the goals as part of the Individual Education Program (IEP). The Independent Study 201 course allows a student to focus on their IEP goals and objectives, as well as explore other areas of interest to help them transition to independent living and adulthood. The Independent Study 201 course provides students with an opportunity to participate in the creation of academic learning experiences geared to individual needs, interests, aptitudes and desired outcomes. 

The Mastering Math Concepts 201 course is designed to help students improve their functional math skills.  The Mastering Math Concepts 201 course will focus on everyday applications, including money, measurement and time skills. Students will also solve real world mathematical problems using a number of math foundations and operations including multiplication, division, ratio, and percent.   

Media & Technology 201 is a course that’s designed for students who want to expand their computer knowledge and feel more confident using the tools available today. Filled with screenshots and real-life examples, this course is designed to help anyone feel more comfortable with basic technology. The Media and Technology 201 course is designed to answer questions such as “What is media?”, “What types of media and technology are there?, and “How and why do people choose the types of media they use to communicate?”

My PHD 201 is a class focused on improving physical fitness, health and diet.  This course will guide students through the many dimensions of wellness, as well as encourage students to live a healthy, balanced lifestyle.  Students will develop skills needed in confronting difficult situations; understand health prevention and promotion techniques that will establish a solid personal health education; and become health literate in making positive and healthy decisions.

Navigation Education 201 will expose students to road safety and transportation options. We all love to explore the community, but did you know that human behavior can influence road safety? Whether you are a pedestrian on the street, a passenger in a vehicle, or the driver of a vehicle, being able to identify common safety issues may help you avoid an accident. The Navigation Education 201 course will better prepare students for navigating the larger community and provide them the opportunity to ask questions and discuss concerns. Driving on major roadways is a lot of responsibility and is not for everyone, but exploring the community is for everyone! 

Neighborhood Connections 101 is designed to connect students with a variety of activities and services. The Neighborhood Connections course explores athletics, the arts and adventures the community has to offer. This course will be a valuable resource for students seeking fun and social opportunities in the community.

PACTS Lab is a simulated work environment that focuses on production, assembly, clerical, technology and service skills. Students participating in the PACTS lab learn entry-level skills in multiple career/work areas, follow work procedures, discover interests for certain tasks and develop problem-solving skills at an intermediate level.

The Partnerships & Perspectives course explores the complexities of dating and relationships for young adults, with a particular focus on individuals with diverse abilities.Through a combination of discussion, documentary series, interactive activities, and real-life case studies, Students will explore the unpredictable world of love, dating and relationships. Most people with disabilities  have the same desire for intimacy and companionship as the rest of the population, yet difficulties in social interaction and communication may make finding a partner a difficult experience. Emphasizing a strengths-based approach, the course aims to empower students to navigate the intricacies of relationships with confidence and self-awareness. Through open dialogue and reflection, participants will gain valuable insights into communication strategies, boundaries, and self-advocacy in the context of dating and friendship. 

Personal Finance 201 is a course designed to help students understand the impact of individual choices on occupational goals and future earnings potential.  Topics covered will include income, money management, spending and credit, as well as saving and investing.  Students will design personal and household budgets, demonstrate knowledge of finance, debt, and credit management, and evaluate and understand insurance and taxes.  This course will provide a foundational understanding for making informed personal financial decisions. We will cover these topics: Basic Budgeting, Savings, Investing, Credit, Debt, Financial Responsibility, Money Management, Insurance, Income, and Careers.

Personal Growth and Development 201 is designed for young adults to learn more about their disability, as well as the disabilities of others. This course helps young adults make informed decisions about whether or not to disclose their disability and understand how that decision may impact their education, employment, and social lives.

Positive Engagement 201 course focuses on social-emotional learning and will help students understand the full range of emotions, as well as to differentiate and manage their feelings. Students will have opportunities to engage in conversations and activities that assist them in discovering self-awareness, building social awareness, developing self-management skills, making responsible decisions and growing healthy relationships.  Students will also learn about mental health and personal wellness strategies that they can use at school, home or on the job. 

The Read 180 course is a comprehensive reading intervention addressing individual needs through differentiated instruction, high- interest literature, and direct instruction in reading, writing and vocabulary skills.  In our changing world it is critical that upon receiving a diploma, students have the reading skills to read for leisure, to gain knowledge and are ready for college or a career. 

Safe and Healthy You 201 is a course that invites students to have conversations about making healthy choices and human sexuality. The course is designed to help students better understand the importance of having an active lifestyle, while making healthy and safe decisions. Students will learn about human anatomy, social skills, self-esteem, emotional relations, exploitation prevention and boundaries. 

Skills to Pay the Bills 201 is a course designed to engage students in hands-on activities that focus on six key skill areas: communication, enthusiasm and attitude, teamwork, networking, problem solving and critical thinking, and professionalism.  Students participating in the Skills to Pay the Bills course will gain knowledge in essential areas needed to increase independence. 

Transition Tracker is a course where students work independently to complete transition activities in the areas of post-secondary education and training, employment and independent living. The Transition Tracker course provides an opportunity for students to track transition activities that arise from the student's own experience and interests as well as from the student's Individual Education Program (IEP). 

Work-Based Learning is a course designed to support students who are participating in a work experience to build and strengthen real-world job skills. Students develop workplace competencies, practice employability skills, and make connections between classroom learning and the expectations of the working world. Students also receive support in identifying career interests, building professional habits, and gaining hands-on experience needed for successful competitive integrated employment. Work experience courses provide students with opportunities to apply the skills and knowledge within a professional work environment. Students interact with industry professionals to develop postsecondary and career readiness knowledge and skills. Goals are set cooperatively by the student, teacher, and employer and students may or may not be paid for this experience.