Angel Robles, East Stroudsburg High School North, East Stroudsburg Area School District, is the recipient of the 2023 Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 INSPIRE Award.

This annual recognition is achieved by a student that has demonstrated a dedication to doing the best of their ability to achieve their Post-Secondary Transition goals of either furthering their schooling, obtaining employment, transitioning to a day rehabilitation program, and/or pursuing independent living opportunities.

CIU 20 Special Education Teacher, Edward Hugele III, says, "Angel is highly knowledgeable, academically intelligent, and excels in mathematics. Despite numerous personal struggles, Angel is always kind and willing to help others. Angel knows when to seek advice and ask for help when needed. Angel’s resilience and ability to navigate difficult situations while maintaining excellent grades and near-perfect scores on behavioral progress monitoring makes them an ideal candidate for this award."

On September 20th, Colonial IU 20 hosted the first session of a training series titled "High Intensity Instructional Techniques (HIIT) For Mathematics." These interactive sessions provide teachers specific strategies for organizing both instruction and students’ studying of material to facilitate learning, remembering, and applying critical mathematical concepts and skills in new situations. Registration is still open for the two remaining sessions in November and January.

The HIIT series is being facilitated by Dr. Paul Riccomini, an experienced classroom teacher, author, mathematician and leading special education expert who has taught

mathematics to both general and special education students in inclusive settings. He is currently a professor of Education at the Pennsylvania State University.

Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 hosted the region's educators at the CIU 20 Central Office to participate in an interactive workshop focused on "Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact on Education." Due to the popularity and demand for the topic, multiple sessions were facilitated by Chris McCaffery of Kiker Learning in August and September. CIU 20 looks forward to being a resource for our member districts on this emerging topic.

Educational leaders discussed how to leverage the power of AI to revolutionize the way they create, connect, and collaborate with their students/staff. With AI as a partner in learning, educators will be able to explore new possibilities in creative expression, knowledge sharing, and problem-solving. Participants discovered the potential of AI to enhance traditional methods and engage learners/staff in powerful new ways. Through hands-on activities and discussions, educators gained practical knowledge and skills to implement AI technologies in their work.

The scope of the grant includes the purchase of technology equipment and software, along with the accompanying professional development. The first training was held on September 11th at the CIU 20 North Office in Stroudsburg, with plans to offer more events throughout the school year.

The SHINEonPA STEM Ecosystem is comprised of various community partners striving towards the mission of promoting STEM opportunities and 21st Century employability skills for all students.

Colonial Intermediate Unit 20, in partnership with Luzerne Intermediate Unit 18 and Carbon Lehigh Intermediate 21, and on behalf of the SHINEonPA STEM Ecosystem, has been awarded a $500,000 ​PAsmart Advancing Grant to equip community libraries with STEM and computer science-based resources. The libraries in the CIU 20 region cohort are Pocono Mountain Library, Eastern Monroe Library, The Cooperage Project, and Allentown Public Library.

Michele Relvas has been a Physical Therapist with Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 for nearly 19 years. She says the most rewarding part of her job is, "when students can express that they are proud of themselves for something they have accomplished whether it's stepping down a curb, moving down the stairs, or climbing a ladder on the playground, and to know I have a part in that always fills me up."

When asked about her approach with students, Michele notes that, "I have learned the power of flexibility and patience (I grew up with 10 siblings so I thank my family for that). Our students are all individuals with very unique needs which necessitates practicing both of these qualities."

Her advice to a new employee starting out at CIU 20 is, "think outside the box, and embrace the small things when they happen because they will keep stacking up and become something BIG."

Michele Relvas is the recipient of the 2022-2023 school year Program Partnership Award, which recognizes employees who inspire an enthusiasm for learning and bring positive personal experiences to students, their families, the school, and the community.

She received numerous nominations from her peers and classroom staff. Dr. Jen Curtis, Pupil Services Supervisor, surprised Michele with this special recognition during one of her therapy sessions with a student. See the video below.

The mission of the Colonial IU 20 Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (EIB) committee is to provide positive, safe, equitable and inclusive learning environments. The EIB committee seeks to utilize and advocate for a culturally-responsive approach in which diverse strengths and identities are valued, thereby creating a community of belonging. Below is what is being celebrated this month.

CIU 20 observes #HispanicHeritageMonth (September 15th - October 15th) by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

We also recognize our staff, students, families and community partners of Hispanic heritage who contribute to the CIU 20 story

Miss Hannah's class at George Wolf Elementary made a craft to observe Patriot Day (September 11th), which commemorates the lives of those who died in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The day also recognizes first responders who selflessly risk their lives to help others in times of need.

Follow us on our social media channels to learn more about the resiliency of #AmazingIU20Kids and creative approaches to learning that our #AmazingIU20Staff have implemented!

At Colonial IU 20, we believe in RELATIONSHIPS that support student growth, RESPONSIVENESS to stakeholders crucial needs, RESULTS demonstrated through effective services and programs, and INNOVATION to improve student outcomes.