On Your Mark, Get Said, “Go!”
Think back on your experiences as a student, at any level. Discuss the goals, materials, methods, and assessment of an experience. Do you feel it was a “universally designed curriculum”?
When I was in high school, I always knew that I wanted to attend college, but I didn’t have a model in my household to guide and nurture this path that I begin to create in my mind. In terms of the academics, I really didn’t care for high school (i.e. social crowds etc), but I loved sports. I was considered the typical athlete according to society, “Make the grade to play the sport.” I did well in my college preparatory courses, but I was motivated by sports. I made the connection early on that I had to pass to play. We had the “No Past, No Play Rule.” Nonetheless, my goal was to get to college; I knew my parents had limited resources, but I also realize I wasn’t carrying a 4.0 grade point average to earn an academic scholarship, so I begin to explore my options, one which was running track. I made it my goal to be the best runner as possible and to get a track scholarship. I actually made this decision in junior high. I excel and I was recruited by the high school coach, so when I was in the 8th grade I ran track with the high school varsity track team. A great accomplishment at such an early age.
It was the girls high school track team that gave me the motivation I needed to continue to move forward, as well as the comfort that was provided by my sister and cousin’s who also were on the track team, as well as my track coach. I was the youngest and they didn’t allow me to forget it. They dominated the four by one hundred relay team, and wouldn’t allow me to have a spot, because I wasn’t in high school, but it forced me to take an interest in several other events, which allowed me to shine in my own respect. My sporting events changed from the 100 yd. dash and 400 meter relay, to the 200 yd. dash, 100, and 300 intermediate hurdles. Being surrounded by older student’s became my driving force to prove that I not only belong, but I could earn a scholarship. I identified my ticket, so in my young mind I begin to strategically plan my way to college. I aligned myself with the coaches and lived vacariously through their experiences of being a college, athelete, coach etc…however, this further facilitated the thought in my mind to go to college and obtain a track scholarship. They groomed me by challenging my work ethic as an athelete; I stayed late and always committed myself to morning and weekend activities. Eventually, I begin to develop a yearning for the classroom, because I learned that I needed to set myself apart from the other runners by looking appealing academically, atheletically, and socially (i.e. community service).
When, I reflect back on this experience I am in aw! I received a full track scholarship during my undergraduate career. By obtaining my goal, I was able to obtain a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Special Education ED/LD. This learning experience will stick with me, because I often think back and use it as a catalyst to brainstorm when I need to accomplish a task. I cannot forget the experience that help me facilitate my goal, which have afforded me the opportunity to create new ones. Now that I know what Universal Design Learning is and thinking back on many experiences, I can honestly say, “It was being implemented without having knowledge of it’s existence.”
