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As this school year begins to draw to a close, join me in recognizing just a few of our successes over the year:
- Expanded our mental health programming and services including approval of outpatient mental health license at the South Academy of Integrated Services
- Increased the number of students receiving IU special education services by over 250 students, a 10% increase from the previous year
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Selected as one of ten IU’s to be awarded the Governor’s Paraeducator Preparedness Pathways Grant to create a pathway for working paraprofessionals to become certified teachers. Click HERE to meet our current cohort and click HERE if you are an IU or ESS paraprofessional interested in applying to be a Teacher Apprentice
- Annual paraeducator conference had the largest participation to date with over 250 in attendance
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Gifted 3 bikes, 17 strollers, and 27 communication devices through our partnership with Variety. To date, we have gifted over 170 pieces of adaptive equipment to families across our four counties. For more information on this free program, click HERE
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Created additional alternative pathways to educator certifications. Click HERE to learn more about our options
- Developed significant improvements to our DaRTS system, adding new features that improve transparency, accuracy, and efficiencies
These represent only a few of the many successes we have had over the last year. I can’t begin to capture the many mission moments that you all have made possible through your hard work and dedication. Thank you for being essential in helping BLaST transform lives and communities through educational services!
All the best - Christina
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National Speech-Language-Hearing Month
May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month. Each May, this annual event provides an opportunity to raise awareness about communication disorders and hearing health. This month honors the crucial roles of the many professionals that provide treatment to individuals affected by speech and hearing disorders. BLaST IU17 would like to recognize and thank our own Speech-Language Pathologists, Educational Audiologists, Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Educational Interpreters who support students with communication impairments.
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BLaST Ambassadors
This past year, the IU completed the second class of the BLaST Ambassador program. The program motivates and empowers employees, who have served as BLaST or ESS employees for at least two years, to become change agents, acting through educational services.
Ambassadors actively participate in three and a half professional learning sessions or experiences that focus on the power of influence and life at an intermediate unit. Additionally, ambassadors shadow a colleague outside of their division or program to understand the systems of the Intermediate Unit.
After the completion of the one-year program, ambassadors will have the chance to influence and contribute to the BLaST IU 17 community by serving in an array of opportunities.
To learn more about this year's cohort of BLaST Ambassadors and to listen to their podcast, click on their images below.
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Candi Williams
Special Education Teacher
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Jess Durn
School Psychologist
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Pam Aldenderfer
Paraprofessional
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Cholesterol and Triglycerides: What Are They?
Cholesterol and triglycerides are blood lipids. Cholesterol is wax-like and is used to make vitamin D, many hormones, and cell membranes whereas triglycerides are fat lipids used for energy between meals.
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Natalie Hoffman
Speech Therapist
Education & Experience: I earned my bachelors degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Penn State University. I am currently working on getting my masters degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Bloomsburg University. I will graduate in early May! Since 2018 I have worked at ESS as a paraprofessional and behavioral health worker in the ESY and school settings.
Fun Fact: I enjoy reading and spending time outside.
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Nichole Campbell
Autistic Support Teacher
Education & Experience: I am currently enrolled in a Master of Education program through Grand Canyon University. I hold a bachelor’s in health services and an associate in respiratory therapy. I have worked in a critical care hospital as a Registered Respiratory Therapist, and with Mansfield University as a Clinical Instructor.
Fun Fact: I was in the Navy stationed on the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan. I traveled to Guam, Hong Kong, Bahrain, and Hawaii. While on a deployment I traveled over the equator!
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Jennifer Dean
Supervisor/Principal - North Academy for Integrated Services
Education & Experience: I completed my bachelor's in political science with a minor in Education at Rutgers University. I began my career in education while a Rutgers student as a paraprofessional. I returned to Rutgers and earned my teaching certification and special education endorsement. I continued my education by completing one MEd at Northeastern University with a concentration in special education and my second master's in educational leadership at Thomas Edison State University.
Fun Fact: I enjoy reading and supporting my daughter as she represents the United States on the US Archery Team.
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Dan Feldhaus
Online Learning Coordinator
Education & Experience: I earned a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's in History from Southern Illinois University. Originally a social studies teacher, I found my way to a job in online education in 2003 when the field was beginning to take shape. Prior to BLaST, I worked at two different online schools, including Agora Cyber Charter School.
Fun Fact: I enjoy time with family, volunteering, and trivia and game nights with friends.
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Lauren Groff
Treatment Team Leader
Education & Experience: I earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Bloomsburg University and a master's in clinical mental health from Kutztown University. I have worked as a Multisystemic Therapist (MST) with Community Solutions, a School-Based Therapist with Malvern Behavioral Health, and as a Treatment Team Leader with Laurel Life.
Fun Fact: I have done a lot of traveling and have been to five different countries.
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North Academy Team
Recently, the team at the North Academy for Integrated Services put together a sensory room for their students. The room has been extremely effective for sensory breaks. Thank you North Academy Team! Your work is making a tangible difference in the lives of the students you serve, and we are immensely grateful for your efforts.
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Each month in our Employee Spotlight section, we want to recognize and celebrate employee milestones, accomplishments, and good deeds. Click the Employee Spotlight Form below to nominate a colleague to be featured in next month's BLaST Bulletin! | |
Lycoming County Functional & Access Needs Survey | |
LYCOMING COUNTY RESIDENTS ONLY | |
Enter now for your chance to win a copy of your choice of books listed below! Two copies of each book will be available for six lucky winners. Winners will be chosen at random and their names will be published in the following month's Bulletin. | |
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Teacher Appreciation Day
5/7
In Practicing Presence: Simple Self-Care Strategies for Teachers, Dr. Lucas invites the reader to learn how to fully inhabit the present moment. Written in an informal and conversational tone, Practicing Presence is filled with ideas, exercises, checklists, personal anecdotes, and practices you can use to reframe and establish a mindset that will enhance your focus and engagement in the classroom.
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National Speech Pathologist Day
5/18
Maya is a bright-eyed, inquisitive little girl who loves to share her sweet voice. But when she starts school, she loses the confidence to use her voice and goes about her school day in silence. With time, patience, understanding, and love from all those around her, Maya discovers her sweet voice.
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World Teen Mental Wellness Day 3/2
During a time when many educators are leaving the profession, others have rolled up their sleeves and shined brightly through the challenges and pressures of the tumultuous education landscape. Countless others are just entering the field, eager to contribute and make an impact on the lives of their students. What can we learn from both of these types of teachers? What are the habits we know that enable teachers to be effective no matter the environment? And how do we build and sustain professional and personal practices that help us rise to every challenge?
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Congratulations to our March/April Winners!
April Seeley
Amy Pardee
Dan Coran
Sherry Ploppert
Allison Chase-Smith
Donna Klinger
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