Washington legislator gives civics lesson in Port Angeles

Published 12:01 am Friday, November 25, 2011

PORT ANGELES — State Rep. Kevin Van De Wege visited classrooms and talked with para-educators during Focus on Education Week earlier this month.

Van De Wege taught a civics lesson to Franklin Elementary fourth-grade students in teacher Barry Burnett’s classroom during lunchtime Nov. 14.

He talked about the different levels of government, from the local level to national.

Discussion and questions ranged from who makes the laws to the present economy — all subject areas the students will focus on this year as part of their social studies curriculum.

Van De Wege, D-Sequim, has served as a member of the state House of Representatives since January 2007, representing the 24th District, which covers ­Clallam and Jefferson counties and part of Grays Harbor County.

He now serves as majority whip with the House Democratic Caucus.

Van De Wege’s other career as a lieutenant with the Sequim Fire Department also was of interest, and students had questions about fires and safety.

The Port Angeles School District Para-educator Association hosted his visit to Port Angeles High School on Nov. 14.

There, he visited teacher Judy Clayton’s social studies classroom and the library and spent time with para-educators in both areas, learning about para-educator roles in and outside the classroom.

“Para-educators’ responsibilities to support student learning are varied,” said Port Angeles Para-educator Association President Barb Gapper.

“We provide direct instruction to students who need extra help in subjects like reading, writing and math.

“We work with developmentally disabled special-education students in life skills classes.”

“Para-educators now work in the community with students as part of the high school transition program,” she said.

“Some of us work one-on-one with medically fragile students.”