Background
Paula Wanzer, MA, CTRS/L, earned her Master's Degree from Lesley University, Cambridge, MA, 1984, a self designed major in Movement and Special Education.
In 1972, Paula began her career in disability issues as a VISTA volunteer in Northwest Iowa. Here, as a community organizer, she developed in LaMars, IA, the first adaptive aquatics program. This has led her to design educational programs for parents, students and service organizations.
In 1976, Paula studied with Bonnie Prudden, a physical fitness expert. From Bonnie she learned how effective it is when you combine music with basic movement. This exciting opportunity led to the development of Funcercise, an movement program for individuals of all ability. A ground breaking program, it builds upon strengths, diminishes weaknesses and offers even the most severely challenged student with challenges that help them to build self confidence.
Between 1976 - 1981, Funcercise transformed the campus of the Laconia State School and Training Center. As a result of Funcercise, residents with severe mental retardation became skilled exercise instructors who traveled throughout New England, teaching children, young adults, college students and professionals about their exercise program.
In 1988, after finishing graduate school and returning to Laconia, Nancy Pleiter-Sadowy, M.Ed., CTRS, joined with Paula to co-found One Step Further, a recreation consulting business, where play works. In 2006, Paula assumed the sole responsibility for One Step Further. Nancy now lives in Maine and has created Choose To Swim, LLC.
Then, in 2005, Paula began working for Easter Seals NH. She currently works with adolescents with autism and developmental disabilities. Once again, she has challenged herself to adapt Funcercise to meet the needs of students with severe behavioral challenges and students are once again exceeding expectations - designing their own games, working through team challenges and sharing in the organization and now planning of each class session.
In 2006, Paula published Surf's Up For Flynn, How a young girl with Autism swims through her fear plus Teaching Strategies that promote successful outcomes.
And, as always, Paula continues to conduct innovative instructional programs, in the community. For children and adults, they include U Can Canoe and Inter Action Workshops.
Philosophy
Individuals of any ability can thrive in community. Provide them with skills and challenges and even the most severely disabled student will rise to the occasion. Thinking outside the box, flexibility and a passion for our role, whatever that may be, is the key to success. Drawing upon our strengths, we will work together to find the path that leads to success.
Skill mastery and challenges that take us beyond our comfort zone encourage growth and development. Creating incremental challenges, Paula tailors them for each student and increases their complexity as a student becomes more organized. A first hand knowledge of disability and eclectic background, provides her an endless array of educational tools and personal experiences with which draw upon.
Behavioral change - learning - occurs when participants play as they work together. Because they can relax and thus perform better in this environment, students can and will master complex skills. They learn social skills as they become a team member, develop leadership skills, cooperate and use their inborn creativity to grow and thrive.