ACE Students Spotlight: Nevaeh and Dominik

By: Maya Paddon

The ACE program at KCI allows students with a wide range of learning disabilities to improve and develop valuable abilities for school and work, gain maturity, as well as participate in an assortment of volunteer and work experiences. 

As stated by Mr. Hallas, an ACE teacher here at KCI, the program lets students build essential skills gradually to strengthen and maintain their confidence: “When the students are younger, they focus on in-class work experiences. But as students get older, they spend more time out of the classroom in co-op work placements and volunteering situations.” Mr. Hallas added, “The ACE program supports the students by slowly building up their confidence by going on the GRT to and from their work placements, getting shadowed at their workplaces, and then eventually, doing their work placements entirely on their own.” 

With a stronger understanding of the ACE program as a whole, read more about two ACE students and their distinctive volunteer and work experiences. 

Nevaeh:

Nevaeh is currently a senior ACE student in grade 12. She noted that she has been part of the program since grade four. 

When asked to describe the ACE program in her own words, Nevaeh said that it’s “about welcoming people with a wide range of disabilities, and trying to make them feel like they’re welcome, and making them feel that they don’t have to worry.” 

Nevaeh proceeded to discuss her past and present work and volunteer opportunities: “I have volunteered with kids hockey teams, barbecues at City Hall, at camps, and so much more. I am working at Goodwill right now. I help customers, sort clothes colour-wise, I clean, and more.” She added that a large difference between senior ACE students and others is getting work and volunteer time during school hours. Nevaeh noted that, sometimes throughout each week, she will leave school for some time to work at Goodwill. 

Nevaeh’s primary message regarding the ACE program? “It teaches you that it’s okay to be different,” she said, adding, “It’s a good community to be in.”

Dominik:

Like Nevaeh, Dominik has also been part of the ACE program since grade four, and at this time, is in grade 12. 

While explaining what the ACE program is, Dominik stated that he feels it’s a safe environment filled with trust and encouragement: “I personally think the ACE program is a safe place to talk to teachers who are on your side. It’s great to have a good support system,” he said. 

Dominik then cheerily described his current work opportunity, explaining, “I have been working at Automotive Edge for around nine and a half months. I have experience working with my dad over the years. I’ve been learning a lot!” 

Like Nevaeh, Dominik noted that he spends some time at work during portions of the school day: “I work at Automotive Edge for the full day on Mondays and Thursdays,” he mentioned. 

He also expressed his appreciation for the unique activities ACE students get to partake in, explaining that his class has learned to cook a variety of meals and attend fun field trips, among other opportunities. 

Unique Aspects of the ACE Classes at KCI

Not only do Nevaeh and Dominik have unique out-of-school opportunities, they also both noted how the ACE classes differ from others around KCI. For example, Dominik remarked, “One of the biggest parts is we mostly stay in this classroom, whereas other students go from class to class.” Nevaeh then noted, “We do our learning a little differently than other students. We still do languages and math and things like that, but it’s modified for our benefit.” 

Ultimately, both Nevaeh and Dominik were evidently grateful and happy to discuss their class, as well as their personal work and volunteer experiences with The Edge. Let’s continue to support and learn more about the ACE program and students here at KCI!