Chelsea Merritt
Actress/Singer/Performing Arts for Special Needs
Performing Arts for Special Needs
As an undergraduate student, I studied Interdisciplinary Studies (IS) at Plymouth State University. Interdisciplinary Studies is an academic program that allows you to build a customized program of study that combines different aspects of your academic and career interests. My program primarily incorporated the disciplines of performing arts, and special education, with influences from psychology and child development. My program is titled Performing Arts for Special Needs.
My educational path was not initially a very clear-cut, orderly one prior to entering the IS program. I knew that I wanted to pursue performing arts in college, and still find a way to make a difference in the world by helping others, but wasn’t exactly sure how I could do that. Interdisciplinary Studies enabled me to investigate the world of special education while incorporating my fervor for performing. My experiences through the program have equipped me with the tools necessary to put my love of performing arts to use to improve the quality of special education supports and services.
What I value most about my education through IS, is that not only have I created a program that gave meaning and purpose to my time at Plymouth; I have also been fortunate enough to create a tool that I will use to change the world of arts and education. This experience is extremely unique to the Interdisciplinary Studies program, and not one that I could find within a specific discipline or major. Once I realized that I could use performing arts as a way to teach and serve others, I was hooked. I knew that the program was where I could give a different kind of life to my passions.
Through the many classes I took as part of my contract, I learned about the emerging concept of integrated arts, or using arts across school curriculum to teach students. While this type of teaching is geared toward all students, I was particularly interested in learning how this type of education is used to support students with special needs. I was over the moon excited to hear about this initiative, as I am a firm believer in the power of arts in all forms of education. With each class I took, I felt more and more reassured that I was meant to become an educator, and use my talents in a way to help others who would benefit from immersion in the arts.
I view myself as someone who has the potential to make major positive changes in education through the arts. The work I have done through the Interdisciplinary Studies program has prepared me to be the person who leads the way in making education more accessible to all children. I cannot wait to put all I have learned to use to improve the lives of the students I encounter, and the communities that support them. It is with great pride that I say that my hard work through the Interdisciplinary Studies program at Plymouth State University has more than adequately prepared to do so.