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As we proudly celebrate Centennial School’s 60th anniversary, we reflect on our dual mission: providing high-quality educational programming for students with significant behavioral needs and serving as a nationally recognized laboratory school where aspiring special educators gain the skills to transform the field.
At the forefront of innovation, Centennial fosters an environment where new practices enhance student learning and shape the future of special education. A prime example of Centennial’s innovative approach is our Immersive Learning Center (ILC), a 360-degree learning environment where students engage with content in new and meaningful ways. Our recent projects highlight how immersive learning is redefining instruction and accelerating student growth, including the ImmersED Project, led by COE professors Drs. Zilong Pan and Lia Sandilos. Initiatives like ImmersEd demonstrate how Centennial continues to expand what is possible in education and equips students with the skills to succeed in school and beyond.
Our close partnership with the College of Education has been the cornerstone of our work. Together, we have developed a model of innovation and impact where cutting-edge research and practice intersect to significantly improve student outcomes and prepare highly skilled, compassionate future educators. This partnership truly exemplifies the power of connecting evidence-based theory with practical application.
As we honor 60 years of impact, we remain committed to building on this legacy. Guided by Lehigh’s Inspiring the Future Makers strategic initiatives, we are expanding opportunities for students, strengthening collaboration with the College of Education, and broadening our national visibility as a model school for serving students with challenging behaviors.
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Julie Fogt
Director of Centennial School and Affiliated Professor
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Transforming Lives for 60 Years
This year, Centennial School celebrates six decades as a guiding light for children with behavioral and learning challenges and for the educators committed to helping them succeed. Founded in 1965 by Lehigh’s College of Education during the University’s centennial, Centennial has grown into much more than just a school — it is a vibrant, supportive community where each child’s potential is recognized and nurtured through expertise, compassion, and a belief in second chances.
For hundreds of children and families, the journey at Centennial started with uncertainty but ended with hope renewed. Students who previously struggled in traditional classrooms have found success through personalized strategies, positive reinforcement, and a staff that truly believes in each child’s potential to grow.
The need for programs like Centennial is more urgent than ever. Across the country, nearly 7.5 million students—15% of all public school children—receive special education services, and this number keeps increasing. In Pennsylvania, the need is even greater, with 21% of students receiving such support. Childhood mental, behavioral, and developmental challenges have also risen, with nearly 28% of children ages 3–17 now diagnosed with related disorders. Still, more than half of these children do not get the help they need.
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Stoops Lecture Focuses on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
The John A. Stoops Lecture Series was established in tribute to Lehigh’s first dean of education and founder of Centennial School. This year's Stoops Lecture was a veritable old home week for members of the Centennial School community. Former and current Centennial faculty, students and staff joined supporters to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the school. Introductory speakers included Professor Emeritus Raymond Bell and former Centennial Director Michael George, along with current Centennial Director Julie Fogt and Acting Dean Robin Hojnoski.
Brandi Simonsen shared remarks focused on the contributions of Centennial, and the use of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to a full house in Wood Dining. Simonsen is a professor of Special Education in the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut. She is also a co-director of the National Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS; www.pbis.org) and co-principal investigator of the National Integrated Multi-Tiered System of Support (I-MTSS) Research Network (mtss.org). Dr. Simonsen's scholarship focuses on supporting educators' implementation of PBIS/MTSS across a continuum of settings.
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One Spark Leads to Another
Rogerson family becomes Centennial School’s first legacy family
Gillian Rogerson knew from a very young age that she wanted to work with children. What she didn’t know was that when she joined Lehigh’s Centennial School as a teacher intern, she’d be making history.
Rogerson’s parents met at Centennial School 36 years ago, making Gillian the first legacy teacher in the school’s 60-year history.
A graduate of Northampton Area High School and Kutztown University, Rogerson arrived at Centennial in 2024 with a Special Education certification and is currently seeking a master’s degree in the field from Lehigh’s College of Education.
“I have always been drawn to working with children and started working as a volunteer for my high school’s autistic support classes,” Rogerson said. “I fell in love with assisting this population.”
That passion lit the spark that led to her future career.
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ImmersED Project Bridges Science Learning and Social-Emotional Growth Through Next-Gen Technology
Lehigh's College of Education is leading a new era of educational research and innovation with ImmersED, a pioneering project harnessing immersive technology and social-emotional learning (SEL) to reimagine how students experience and succeed in science. Built on collaboration between faculty researchers, classroom educators, and Lehigh undergraduate and graduate students, and supported by the Office of Creative Inquiry, ImmersED aims to engage diverse learners through active participation in dynamic, 360-degree science lessons that build both academic and social-emotional skills.
Developed within the state-of-the-art Immersive Learning Center at Centennial School, ImmersED is founded on the belief that education has its greatest impact when it addresses the needs of the whole child.
Faculty leaders Dr. Zilong Pan, Assistant Professor of Teaching, Learning and Technology, and Dr. Lia Sandilos, Associate Professor of School Psychology, developed their research project after touring Centennial and brainstorming ways they could apply immersive learning to their own areas of expertise. The resultant project is developing science curriculum modules—starting with an immersive lesson on the water cycle—where content and SEL strategies are combined to foster engagement, understanding, and personal growth.
“When you combine rich academic learning with SEL, especially through immersive environments, you're meeting the whole child,” noted Dr. Sandilos. “We intend for students to not only understand the content, but also grow in confidence and connection.”
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Remembering Brian James
Brian James, 57, beloved lead teacher at Centennial School and a dedicated member of the Lehigh community, passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 13, 2025.
Brian served at Lehigh for 27 years, where he was a cornerstone of Centennial School’s mission and culture. He was widely known for his unwavering commitment to students, especially those facing the greatest challenges, and for the warmth, humor, and compassion he brought to his work every day.
Julie Fogt, Director of Centennial School, shared the following tribute to Brian:
"Brian was an exceptional educator and leader who gave everything he had to his students and colleagues. He had an extraordinary gift for reaching students others struggled to engage, building trust and connection in ways that changed lives. His belief in the potential of every child reflected the very heart of Centennial’s 'Nice Matters' culture.
"Brian was also a trusted mentor to new teachers, offering support, encouragement, and wisdom that helped shape generations of compassionate educators. He modeled how to remain calm, patient, and solutions-focused in even the most difficult moments—and did so with deep humility, never seeking credit or recognition. Parents often shared how much they valued Brian’s steady presence, fierce advocacy, and genuine kindness. His loss will be deeply felt by all who knew him.”
The College of Education extends heartfelt condolences to Brian’s family, friends, and all members of the Centennial and Lehigh communities who were touched by his life and work.
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Joy in Education Campaign Kicks Off by Asking, "What's Your Why?"
We are launching the Joy in Education campaign with a look at why educators do the work they do. Our first “why” features Julie Fogt, director of Centennial School.
She said, “I believe every student deserves access to an education where caring and skilled educators equip them with the tools and resources they need to thrive in our global society. My joy comes from witnessing students reach milestones that were once thought impossible to achieve now realized with the support provided at Centennial.”
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