Teaching Outside of The Box
As part of The Bluebee Pals Project, Bluebee Pals were donated to The Jessie Baker School in Elk Grove, California. The project was created to provide the teachers and teachers aides with Bluebee Pals as an assistive technology learning tool to support and enhance the education of special needs children in the classroom. As a result, an amazing documentary was produced detailing how the teachers and students reacted, interacted and learned from the application of tablets, learning apps and their Bluebee Pals.
Jessie Baker School and The Bluebee Pals
Sharon Stanley, the speech and language pathologist (SLP) at Jessie Baker was introduced to The Bluebee Pals through her colleagues, Jackie Bryla and Angela Moorad. Sharon thought that these talking plush animals; The Bluebee Pals, could assist the 175 moderate to severe special needs students in her classes. Sharon contacted Laura Jiencke, the CEO of Kayle Concepts and founder of The Bluebee Pals to discuss a collaboration between The Jessie Baker School and The Bluebee Pals. This summer, 26 Bluebee Pals were donated to students of The Jessie Baker School through Laura’s non-profit foundation – The Bluebee Pals Project.
The Bluebee gang getting ready for today’s lessons
The Jessie Baker School immediately incorporated The Bluebee Pals into their daily lessons. Beginning with Leo The Lion helping the teachers to take attendance in the morning, or Riley The Zebra reading to the students, and of course, Lily the Lamb working on speech therapy apps with the kids. Something amazing was happening in this classroom. With the use of The Bluebee Pals and other assistive technology tools like computers, tablets and learning apps, the kids were responding to the lessons like never before.
Bluebee Pal Riley engaging students through tablets and learning apps
“Two of his favorite things are animals and technology, so I was excited to try the Bluebee Pal zebra with him. I connected the Zebra to my iPad and used the Speak for Yourself app to talk to him and ask him questions. He loved it! He was laughing and smiling, used his talker to communicate with his pal and followed simple “Give me ________” directions given by the zebra. The next time he came to speech, the first toy he requested was the Zebra. “
– Sharon Stanley
Bluebee Pal Lily the Lamb …my friend
Motivate 
React Respond Communicate Educate
“We are inspired by the dedication of the teachers at The Jessie Baker School. These are teachers who think outside the box and support technology based educational tools in classrooms of special needs children.”
– Laura Jiencke, CEO of Kayle Concepts and founder of The Bluebee Pals
The Teachers at The Jessie Baker School
Sharon Stanley
Sharon Stanley (SLP) is well known for advocating for the rights of all children, regardless of their disability or level of functioning, to receive access to high-tech communication devices. Sharon’s motto is “Communication for All”.
Nikki Castaneda, Cathleen Bailey and Jessica McFarland
Nikki Castaneda – Nikki has taught at Jessie Baker for 11 years. Nikki has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Master’s Degree in Special Education, and also holds a Moderate/Severe Teaching Credential.
“My favorite activity with our Bluebee Pal’s is to hold conversations with the students paired with the AAC application, Speak For Yourself. The Bluebee Pal will ask the student’s “yes/no” questions, “what’s their name”, “how are you today?”, and other fun questions. The children absolutely love our conversation times with the Bluebee Pals!! “
In addition to the conversation time, our Bluebee Pal will always ask them to do simple one-step direction. The kids will always follow the Bluebee Pal’s instructions!! I’m sometimes a little jealous that they listen to Baker the Lion or Marty the Zebra more than they listen to me.”
Cathleen Bailey – Cathleen has a Multiple Subject credential, a moderate to severe Special Education credential and a Resource Specialist credential. In addition, Cathleen has also earned a Master’s Degree in Special Education.
“My favorite activity with our Bluebee Pals is to play “Zack the Zebra says….” Or “Leo the Lion says…” My students love this game!”
Jessica McFarland is a SDC teacher at Jessie Baker School. Jessica is currently finishing her Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe teaching credentials and also has a professional concentration in Autism Spectrum Disorders and ABA therapy.
“The Bluebee Pals have allowed me the opportunity to engage my students in many academic activities. My favorite is when we work on reading comprehension with the app called “You Tell Me Stories.”. The students absolutely love watching the Bluebee Pals mouth move as they listen. I’ve seen a significant improvement in the student’s attention to the story and that has improved their accuracy in answering comprehension questions. “
What is Assistive Technology?
Assistive technology (often abbreviated as AT) is any item, piece of equipment, software or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
- AT can be low tech like communication boards made of cardboard or fuzzy felt.
- AT can be high tech such as special purpose computers.
- AT can be hardware such as prosthetics, attachment devices (mounting systems), and positioning devices.
- AT can be computer hardware, like special switches, keyboards, and pointing devices.
- AT can be computer software such as screen-readers or communication software.
- AT can be inclusive or specialized learning materials and curriculum aids.
- AT can be specialized curricular software.
- AT can be much more, including electronic devices, wheel chairs, walkers, braces, educational software, power lifts, pencil holders, eye-gaze, and head trackers.
Different disabilities require different assistive technologies.
Jessie Baker School
Jessie Baker School is a public special education school located in Elk- Grove, CA. It has the distinction of being the first public school in California dedicated to teaching students with severe disabilities. The school was started by its namesake 53 years ago. Jessie Baker was the mother of a student with Down Syndrome who fought vigorously for the rights of students with special needs to receive a free and appropriate education. Today, the passion to educate students with severe disabilities is reflected in the 50 teachers and paraprofessionals who serve to mentor, coach and educate approximately 180 students ranging in age from 5-22. Sharon Stanley is the speech and language pathologist (SLP) at Jessie Baker. Her motto is “Communication for All” and she advocates for the rights of all children, regardless of their disability or level of functioning, to receive access to high-tech communication devices.
Bluebee Pals Project
Bluebee Pals Project is a program that Kayle Concepts has developed to put Bluebee Pals into the hands of therapists, educators and families of special needs children.
Bluebee Pals has partnered with various therapists, teachers, app developers and organizations to develop an educational program that incorporates Bluebee Pals cutting edge technology, touch pad devices and the best learning apps available. Bluebee Pals has donated hundreds of our huggable plush educational toys to special needs groups and families in order to collect data and feedback on the positive effects of using Bluebee Pals as a learning tool.
Motivate 
React Respond Communicate Educate
This documentary was filmed in October of 2015 at The Jessie Baker School in Elk Grove, California. Please contact media@bluebeepals.com if you have any questions.
