Newly renovated facility provides students lessons towards independence

June 29, 2023

Students at the Lincoln Public Schools Independence Academy are learning life skills at a newly renovated facility, thanks to a donation from a former LPS teacher. 

The Independent Learning Center, located next to Lakeview Elementary School, began renovations in 2021. Funding for the renovations came from a donation by former LPS teacher Patricia Campbell, whose estate donated approximately $500,000 to the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools to be put towards the LPS Special Education Department.

Renovations were completed in time for the 2022-23 school year, and students and staff have been enjoying the changes to the facility.

“It’s nice because now we have a bigger sensory room we can use for the students, and they changed the garages into classroom spaces,” said Alysia Smith, team leader and itinerant teacher for the Independence Academy. “We also have an accessible kitchen that we can use for students in a wheelchair so it can raise and lower to be on their lap. It's just been helpful having this space renovated so they can learn those skills here in the natural learning environment.”

In addition to a more accessible learning environment, the center was also updated with all new appliances for students to practice everyday tasks.

Koda, an Independence Academy student, says all the things he learns at the Independent Learning Center are things he can do in his own home.

“We learn to do laundry and we water plants,” Koda said. “We sweep and mop, learn to bring the trash out and learn to clean the counters and tables.”

In one of their lessons during extended school year classes, students learned how to make walking tacos. 

“We're trying to help the students be as independent as possible,” Smith said. “They get to learn a little bit about recipes that they could probably make in their own home that they could share with their family or their friends, because just like you and I like to get together and cook for people, they can do some of these things as well.”

Using the newly renovated kitchen, students browned and seasoned the hamburger meat and assembled their walking tacos with toppings of cheese, sour cream, avocado and salsa. An easy meal, and one more useful skill they’ve achieved. 

“It's important to know how to take care of yourself not only for your health, but it helps you to feel productive,” Smith said. “It helps you feel a sense of self achievement. So I think it's really important that we give them these skills so that they're able to do these things for themselves.”

The Independence Academy is a program for students ages 18-21 with disabilities that provides students with relevant educational, life, social, and vocational/career experiences in business and/or agency settings. To learn more, visit their webpage here. 

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