Phone: 734-744-2810

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Bachelor of Science in Special Education Masters of Arts in Special Education Michigan Teaching Certificate: Elementary, K-5 all subjects Cognitive Impairments, K-12 Learning Disabilities, K-12

Elizabeth Craven

About Me:

My name is Elizabeth Craven. I go by the nickname, Betsy. I started teaching in 2003 in the Supported Transition Program. In 2006, I began teaching the Leisure and Recreation (Enrichment) class. In 2020-2021 school year, I started teaching the Life Skills for Home and Work. I have a Bachelor of Science in Special Education, teaching students with cognitive impairments from Western Michigan University and a Masters of Arts in Special Education, teaching students with learning disabilities from Oakland University. 

My Philosophy:

I understand that your student comes with unique experiences, interests, and learning styles. My goal is to truly get to know the student and use this knowledge to guide, support, and motivate them. I want to expose the student to a variety of skills that they will be able to incorporate into their home life as well as future employment. 

  • Description of Life Skills for Home and Work:

    The purpose of this class is to teach students how to be an active member of a household as well as the necessary skills in order to find, obtain, and keep a job. 

    Structure: 

    Life Skills is one of the in-house classes at the Skill Center. Students will attend for a 55 minute period. During that time, students will participate in one of the following lessons. 

    Life Skill Task Lists Lessons:

    The students will be assigned a checklist with tasks related to one of the following. 

    • Laundry Skills (using washer/dryers, folding, sorting, etc.) 

    • Functional Mathematics Skills(money skills, numerical identification/order, counting skills, etc.) 

    • Functional Reading Skills (survival signs, letter identification/order, recipes, calendar, stocking, etc.) 

    •  Cooking skills (measurements, filling shakers, silverware rolling/sorting, food prep, etc.)  

    • Fine Motor/ Sorting/ Sequencing Skills 

    Life Skill Of the Week Lessons:

    Students will be provided with weekly lessons that will address necessary skills to be successful at work and home. 

    • Employability Skills (job exploration, interviews, following a to-do list, etc.) 

    • Household chores (sweeping, cleaning tables/chairs, vacuuming, etc.) 

    • Knowledge of Strengths/ Goals  

    • Social Skills/ Soft Skills  

    Recipes of the Week Lessons: 

    Students will cook in class two times a week. On one of the days, the students will prepare a food item to enjoy. On a different day, students will prepare a beverage.  

    Food Themes:

    • September-November- Snacks 

    • December-Seasonal 

    • January-February- Breakfast 

    • March-April- Sandwiches and Wraps 

    • May-June- Dinner  

    • (Other holiday themed items will occur closer to the holiday) 

    Shopping/Budgeting Lessons:

    Each week, the students will work on developing a shopping list of the ingredients for the following week’s recipes. Students will use chrome books to find the items on the Meijer website and calculate how much money is required to buy them.  

    All activities and lessons will be leveled to the students' ability level.

    Accommodations will be in place based on the students' needs.

    Behavior Expectations:

    Students work towards the school wide PBIS (Positive Behavioral Intervention & Supports) goals each day.

    1. Be Safe
    2. Be Responsible
    3. Be Respectful

    Students who exhibit these goals will receive a Blue ticket. The Blue tickets can be placed into one of several raffles. Prizes may include gift cards, apparel, and time with the school's animals or staff members. Each week, one of the Blue tickets will be picked and that student will receive the prize.

    Communication

    Education is a partnership between home and school. In order for this partnership to be effective, we need to be able to communicate.

    Please feel free to call, write a note, or e-mail me if you have concerns or questions about your student’s education.