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On March 21st and 22nd, BLaST coordinated a visit with the Secretary of Education, Dr. Khalid Mumin, and his team to tour schools and colleges within our region. The tour included visits to Lycoming Career and Technology Center, Williamsport School District's Career and Technical Education Program, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Northern Tier Career Center, and Commonwealth University's Mansfield Campus, to showcase the importance of career preparedness, educator workforce development, and teacher certification pathways.
One of the stops during the visit was to our Williamsport Office to learn more about the ‘earn while you learn’ teacher certification pathways for working paraeducators. BLaST was one of only ten IU’s across the Commonwealth to receive the Governor’s competitive Paraeducator Preparedness Pathways Grant designed to support special education paraeducators to earn a teaching certification while they continue working. Through the support of this grant, BLaST is partnering with Luzerne County Community College, to offer an innovative teacher certification career pathway. Participating special education paraeducators represent BLaST Intermediate Unit 17, South Williamsport Area School District, Sullivan County School District, and Canton Area School District.
The Governor’s grant elevates the important role of paraeducators in regenerating our teaching pipeline and represents the Commonwealth’s investment in addressing the teacher shortage. By pursuing their teaching certification, paraeducators are not only furthering their professional growth but are also diversifying and strengthening our future teacher workforce.
As we continue to push the boundaries of innovation and excellence in education, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for your dedication and hard work. Together, we are shaping a brighter future for our students and our community.
Warm regards - Christina
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Recipients of the Paraeducator Preparedness Pathways Grant join Secretary of Education, Dr. Khalid Mumin. Grant recipients include (left to right) Melissa Smith, BLaST IU 17; Noah Johnson, BLaST IU 17; Rachel Stone (back), Canton Area School District; Cassandra Engel, South Williamsport Area School District; Barbara Bender (back), Sullivan County School District; and Breannon Porter, BLaST IU 17
To learn more about BLaST IU 17's Teacher Apprentice Position, CLICK HERE.
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PaTTAN Autism Initiative
During the 2023-2024 school year, BLaST had two Autistic Support Classrooms pilot the PATTAN Autism Initiative. The Autism Initiative uses Applied Behavior Analysis Supports in a collaborative effort to expand provision of effective science-based interventions for children with autism. This year, Mrs. Danielle Pardoe at J. Andrew Morrow Primary School in Towanda School District, and Mr. Chris Carithers at Central Elementary in South Williamsport School District participated in the initiative. The teachers and staff received monthly training and recommendations from PaTTAN consultants, and weekly support and feedback from our BLaST autism coach, Heather Sproule.
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Brain Injury Awareness Month: What is BrainSTEPS and our IU 17 Team
Every 9 seconds, an individual in the United States sustains a brain injury, according to the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania. A brain injury affects how a person thinks, acts, and feels. The symptoms and impacts are wide-ranging and can change everything in a matter of seconds. Brain injuries can have profound and lasting effects on individuals.
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Small Steps to Better Manage Your Money
American Psychological Association states that 72% of Americans reported feeling financially stressed at least once in the past month. With finances hard to avoid, think about little steps you can take to better manage your money (and stress).
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Ashley Muchler
Educational Consultant/TaC
Education & Experience: I have a Masters Degree in Supervision of Curriculum and Instruction from Bloomsburg University. For the past 7 years, I have taught 7th grade Language Arts at the Williamsport Area Middle School.
Fun Fact: I enjoy running and training for various events throughout the year - I am currently training for the Pittsburgh Half Marathon
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Benjamin Comfort
Dean of Students, South Academy
Education & Experience: I attended Penn State University and obtained a B.A. in Psychology. I am currently working towards my Registered Behavior Technician Certification, as well as my Special Education Teaching Certification. Over the past 20 years, I have held the positions of Therapeutic Support Staff, Substitute Teacher, Behavioral Health Worker, and for 16 of those years coached soccer at the High School and Collegiate levels.
Fun Fact: I build an ice-skating rink in my backyard every winter and I enjoy playing hockey.
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Kelly Young
Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Education & Experience: I have a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a concentration in education for the deaf and hard of hearing and a minor in sign language. I have a Master’s degree in education for the deaf and hard of hearing. Both degrees were obtained from Bloomsburg University. I taught second and third grade at Muncy School District for several years. Then, I stopped to raise my family. I spent the last 16 years as a kindergarten readiness teacher at First Nursery School. My two sons are grown and “almost” out of the nest. I look forward to teaching with BLaST!
Fun Fact: I have been with my high school sweetheart for 33 years.
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Marykate De Notaris
Conversion Coordinator, AIM Center
Education & Experience: I am a recent graduate from the University of Scranton with a degree in Health Promotion. My professional experience includes interning for the City of Scranton Public Health Department and working as a peer mentor for Sky's the Limit Communications for the past 5 years.
Fun Fact: I love cooking, traveling, art, and makeup! Doing makeup is my favorite hobby! I've done makeup for hundreds of weddings, baby showers, and musicals!
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Jim Rinehimer
Jim was recently recognized for his work and leadership of the IU 17 BrainSTEPS team. During several annual check-in calls with parents, positive comments were given regarding Jim's assistance through his BrainSTEPS consultations. A parent commented, "Jim did a wonderful job to help - such as working with the school to plan ways to help our daughter be safe (or not be judged late for class) while walking in the hallways."
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Lesley Pardoe
Lesley Pardoe's exceptional graphic design and marketing skills and hard work have been recognized in the Pennsylvania School Public Relations Association’s (PenSPRA) 2023 Excellence in Communications Contest! Close to 275 outstanding entries were submitted for rigorous judging, and of those entries, Lesley received the distinction of being awarded an Award of Merit for two of her submissions.
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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! | |
ESS EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH | |
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Michael Homan
Behavioral Health Worker
Loyalsock Middle School
How many years have you worked with ESS?
This is my third year with ESS.
What aspect of your job do you love most?
I enjoy working with the kids and staff in room G2, as well as interacting with the school staff.
What inspires you?
I love to see the positive change in the kids we work with.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I enjoy being in the outdoors hunting and fishing.
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Danielle Morningstar
Behavioral Technician
Sayre Autistic Support Classroom
How many years have you worked with ESS?
I have worked for ESS for 5 years.
What aspect of your job do you love most?
I get excited when the students accomplish their goals.
What inspires you?
Making a difference in the students' lives is what inspires me.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love spending time with my family. I also love watching my kids play their sports as well as traveling, vacationing, and crafting when I have the time.
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2024 Paraeducator Conference | |
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We are excited to share that on May 1st at both the Williamsport and Canton offices, 8 students from the BLaST Region will be receiving an adaptive stroller through our partnership with Variety.
In addition, Variety will be completing bike fittings for 12 students who have submitted an application to receive a free adaptive bike!
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about BLaST's partnership with Variety and how to receive a free adaptive bike, stroller, and/or communication device, please visit our website HERE or reach out to Morgan Whitteker at mwhitteker@iu17.org.
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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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World Poetry Day
3/21
So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein. This moving parable for all ages offers a touching interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return.
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Earth Day
4/22
Dr. Seuss’s beloved story teaches kids to treat the planet with kindness and stand up and speak up for others. Experience the beauty of the Truffula Trees and the danger of taking our earth for granted in a story that is timely, playful, and hopeful. The book’s final pages teach us that just one small seed, or one small child, can make a difference.
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World Teen Mental Wellness Day 3/2
Depression. Anxiety. Chronic Pain. Phobias. Obsessive thoughts. The evidence is compelling: the roots of these difficulties may not reside in our immediate life experience or chemical imbalances in our brains but in the lives of our parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents. The latest scientific research, now making headlines, supports what many have long intuited—that traumatic experience can be passed down through generations.
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Congratulations to our February Winners!
Kimberly Winn
Jessica Mathers
Danelle Wagner
Kelly Beck
Heather Neufer
Noah Johnson
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