Students in Kristine Steele’s class at Easton Middle School recently participated in a 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb to honor the first responders who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.

To help make the experience more meaningful, the Palmer Fire Department generously loaned fire jackets and helmets for students to wear during the climb. Students also wore shirts representing Palmer Fire, Coolbaugh Fire and the First Responder Chaplain Corps as they completed the memorial climb together.

The remembrance continued in the classroom, where students read This Very Tree by Sean Rubin, a story told from the perspective of the Callery pear tree that survived the attacks at the World Trade Center. Inspired by the story, the class created its own 9/11 Remembrance Tree and reflected on the meaning of bravery, courage and empathy.

Through these activities, students had the opportunity to learn about September 11 while honoring the courage and sacrifice of first responders.

CIU 20 educators and administrators recently attended the statewide Bridging Knowledge to Know-How conference, where they explored best practices, resources and strategies for supporting students with diverse and complex learning needs.

The conference provided CIU 20 staff with an opportunity to learn from colleagues across the state, collaborate around best practices and share some of the innovative work taking place throughout the Intermediate Unit. In addition to participating in professional learning sessions, several CIU 20 staff members had the opportunity to share their own work with educators from across Pennsylvania through poster presentations.

Training & Consulting Staff, Kelly Duque and Courtney Fenner presented on the work of CIU 20’s ELA Curriculum Committee, which has focused on developing a unified ELA curriculum and literacy assessment protocol. The curriculum rollout continues with concentrated literacy trainings this fall.

John Heaney, Supervisor of Special Education, and Kasey Kinney, Director of Special Education, presented on Community Integrated Transition for Students with Disabilities, highlighting efforts to provide meaningful opportunities that help prepare students for life beyond the classroom.

The CIU 20 Crisis Response Flight Team can be called upon to work alongside a school’s existing crisis response team, providing additional support for students and staff, while easing some of the burden on school personnel who may themselves be affected by the event. Every crisis and every school community is different. The Flight Team’s response is tailored to the needs of each school, with an emphasis on respecting the community.

During Suicide Prevention Month, the work of the CIU 20 Crisis Response Flight Team serves as an important reminder of the role that connection, preparation and compassionate support play in our schools

Through panel discussions, presentations and networking opportunities, attendees explored ways to expand competitive employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and strengthen connections among employers, families and organizations that provide employment services.

While visiting CIU 20, participants also had the opportunity to stop by Colonial Café 71 for refreshments. Operated as part of CIU 20’s vocational training opportunities for students, the café provides hands-on experience that helps individuals with disabilities develop workplace skills in a real-world environment.

Jana Frankenfield has spent the past two decades supporting students and families across several programs at Colonial Intermediate Unit 20.

Now in her tenth year as the teacher of the Autistic Support/Partial Hospitalization classroom at Colonial Academy, Jana began her career with CIU 20 in the fall of 2006 as an associate in an elementary Autistic Support classroom before becoming an associate teacher in the AS/PHP classroom. It was there that she discovered the student population she knew she wanted to teach.

Throughout her career with the IU, Jana has also worked as a teacher in the Multiple Disabilities Support and Early Intervention programs. In addition, she has been involved with Special Olympics as a coach since she first joined CIU 20.

Central to Jana’s approach is building strong relationships, not only with her students, but also with their families. She and her classroom team make it a priority to understand each student as an individual and maintain open, honest communication with families.

She encourages educators to make room for humor and joy, even when navigating challenging moments “Be sure to laugh,” Jana said. “Addressing behaviors doesn’t always have to be serious. Consistent, yes. But have fun with the kids and redirect in creative ways.”

After years of working with students with diverse and complex needs, Jana has one piece of advice for IU employees: “Find one special thing about each child you come into contact with, something that makes them special and unique, and hold onto that,” she said. “You’ll be amazed by what they can accomplish.”