Emily Harper Pioneers Life Skills Teaching at Zembrodt Education Center

Emily Harper has taken on a groundbreaking role as the Transition Instructor at The Point/Arc’s Zembrodt Education Center (ZEC) in Covington, Kentucky. With a background in education, she aims to enhance the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental differences (I/DD) through innovative teaching methods. Harper’s new position allows her to pioneer the instruction of Life Skills as part of the Elevate Curriculum Plan for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year.

Before joining ZEC, Harper served as an Autism Teacher at both Florence Elementary School and Camp Ernst. She expressed a desire to expand her impact, stating, “I just wanted an opportunity to do more.” Her commitment to the mission of The Point/Arc motivated her to take on this new challenge, where she could contribute significantly to the educational and vocational development of her students.

Innovative Curriculum Focus

The Zembrodt Education Center was established to provide tailored opportunities for individuals with I/DD to achieve their highest potential. Harper will be the first to implement Life Skills training within the Elevate Curriculum, which encompasses essential areas such as health, safety, household management, culinary skills, social etiquette, and community engagement.

Some key skills included in her curriculum are:

• Health, Safety and Emergencies: Emergency procedures, first aid, and hygiene
• Household Chores: Cleaning supplies and laundry basics
• Kitchen and Culinary: Kitchen safety and grocery shopping
• Dining Out: Ordering, etiquette, and bill payment
• Leisure and Social: Social gatherings, leisure activities, and appropriate attire
• Community Engagement: Housing options and appointments

Harper emphasized the flexibility of the program, noting, “What I like about the program is that I can choose the skills to work on. Sure, it’s challenging, but so many life skills are hard to pick and choose to learn.” Her classes run on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00 to 15:00, involving five to six students from local high schools.

Personalized Approach to Learning

The Elevate Job Training Program at ZEC spans the entire school year, from August through May, with students rotating every eight weeks. This structure allows for innovative, interactive instruction tailored to build essential skills for life and work. Lessons focus on following directions, demonstrating enthusiasm, self-confidence, problem-solving, initiative, and accountability.

Students are referred to the program by their high school teachers, especially those identified as needing additional support. Harper, certified in Moderate to Severe Disabilities, noted the unique advantages of teaching at ZEC. “The difference between teaching in a public elementary school and working at The Point/Arc’s ZEC is simple. We are certainly more creative here at the ZEC because of our smaller class size. We can cater to the individual needs of our students with additional resources,” she explained.

Harper believes in fostering a community where all individuals are celebrated, emphasizing a spirit of creativity, connection, learning, and growth. “There’s room for a creative pioneer like Emily Harper at ZEC,” she concluded, highlighting the transformative potential of her work.

This initiative not only reflects the commitment of The Point/Arc to support individuals with I/DD but also showcases the invaluable contributions of educators like Emily Harper, who are dedicated to making a meaningful difference in their students’ lives.