An educational space for young people with adjustment difficulties
Shared Schooling Units (UEC) are educational spaces designed to guarantee the necessary support for students with special educational needs arising from difficulties adapting to the school environment. A magical place where every day we have the opportunity to grow and learn new things.
Here we share experiences, questions, reflections, and stories from Monday to Friday with 18 students. The UEC is a daily adventure where, with unconditional support, attentive listening, patience, and a great sense of humor, we strive to create numerous learning opportunities using diverse methodologies and small groups so that everyone can progress at their own pace, mature, grow, and rediscover their passion for learning.
At the UEC, boys and girls are referred from their schools, carrying with them complex and often unsatisfactory experiences that hinder their personal development. The reasons for these referrals can be many (absences, difficulty keeping up with the class, disruptive behavior), but the life stage between 14 and 16 years old is the same for everyone: adolescence, a crucial time in identity formation, when adults often cease to be role models, and it is precisely at this moment that they must leave their school to go to the UEC.
We try to create an emotionally welcoming space, but at the same time it is true that there is a great deal of complexity in the relationship between equals.
The practical aspect is much more present (manipulative and experiential workshops), the master classes are set aside to share knowledge and be able to transfer it to daily life.
Second chance schools: educational success against school dropout
One of the main tasks assigned to us by the administration is to transmit knowledge and adapt the curriculum of the skills and content of Compulsory Secondary Education (ESO). However, at UEC, to achieve this, we must emphasize educational actions that directly engage people—restorative, empowering educational actions aimed at developing better individuals, citizens, neighbors, and people with strong values.
We cultivate critical thinking, sensitivity, and respect for others... This isn't always easy. In fact, it never is, considering that many young people arrive in complex situations of conflict and vulnerability. But our UECs (Educational Units) are like "pedagogical laboratories" where students can learn in multiple ways. We bring gamification into the classroom, we work on projects and challenges, our practical workshops—the most professionally oriented ones—are based on service-learning methodology, we conduct group self-evaluations, and we consider the street as an open educational space.
There is no perfect place, but for those who have been rejected by the formal system, it is a quality alternative to help and accompany boys and girls who are looking to create their own path and find the necessary conditions and motivations to train and learn.
As a great friend, Xus Martín, says in her book "Educating is for the brave," the UECs are full of brave people, educators and young people who grow and move forward together.
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