Graham Academy educator is regional Specialized Education Services Inc. teacher of the year

Brynn Kovalick, an autistic support/emotional support classroom elementary school teacher at The Graham Academy in Kingston, won the regional Specialized Education Services Inc. teacher of the year award. The region includes 20 Specialized Education Services Inc. schools in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Ohio. The award “honors outstanding, innovative educators who lead by example with an unmatched level of dedication to supporting all students,” a news release said. “I am happy to receive the award,” Kovalick, 39, said in an interview. “I take pride in my work.” The Dallas resident has been teaching at the Graham Academy since 2013. She teaches [...]

Graham Academy educator is regional Specialized Education Services Inc. teacher of the year2022-06-07T12:29:06-04:00

Local Teacher Honored with Regional Teacher Of The Year Award

KINGSTON, LUZERNE CO, (WOLF) — Brynn Kovalick, a teacher at the Graham Academy in Kingston, has been named the regional winner in the Specialized Education Services Teacher of the Year Program. Kovalick is an autistic support and emotional support classroom elementary school teacher at the academy. She's been with the school for nearly 10 years and received her teaching certificate in special education from King's College. "I was thrilled when I found out that I received the award. My kids are my world, so seeing them grow and learn was a big accomplishment of mine to be recognized for what I [...]

Local Teacher Honored with Regional Teacher Of The Year Award2022-06-03T10:36:14-04:00

Special Ed Teacher Receives Regional Top Teacher Honors

DENTON — Jill Fitzpatrick, a lead special education teacher at High Road School at Caroline County (303 Sharp Road, Denton), was recently named a regional winner in Specialized Education Services Inc. Teacher of the Year Program. “Teaching is my profession but moreover it is my calling … there are always setbacks and frustrations but overcoming them is part of the enjoyment of teaching. I have the philosophy that there are no hopeless cases. The more challenging the behavioral and academic hurdles, the higher the rewards when that student succeeds,” Fitzpatrick said. Teacher of the Year honors outstanding, innovative educators who [...]

Special Ed Teacher Receives Regional Top Teacher Honors2022-06-07T13:01:03-04:00

Middle school teacher, Aatiqah Ali, named divisional winner in Teacher of the Year Program

Aatiqah Ali, a teacher at Excel Middle Years Academy, was recently named a divisional winner in Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI) Teacher of the Year Program. “My personal philosophy of learning and education is that every student brings something to the table – their own genius and uniqueness,” Ali said in a statement. “My job as an educator is to identify them and help students’ growth.” Teacher of the Year honors outstanding, innovative educators who lead by example with an unmatched level of dedication to supporting all students. The annual recognition program celebrates teachers who exemplify high-quality, evidence-based instruction at [...]

Middle school teacher, Aatiqah Ali, named divisional winner in Teacher of the Year Program2022-06-07T13:09:52-04:00

Graham Academy students honored for Light It Up Blue Day

WILKES-BARRE — In celebration of “Light It Up Blue Day” and World Autism Awareness Month in April, Graham Academy student Billy Norton had the opportunity to serve as the city’s honorary fire chief for the day. Norton, 18, climbed into a fire truck outside Wilkes-Barre fire headquarters and learned how to operate the aerial ladder. He said his favorite part of the experience was honking the horn. While touring fire headquarters, he said, “This is great!” “This is a good life experience for him to see something like this and do something different,” Wilkes-Barre Fire Chief Jay Delaney said. “He [...]

Graham Academy students honored for Light It Up Blue Day2022-06-14T12:07:14-04:00

QC students make, sell key chains to raise money for Uganda playground

Students make a difference while they help other children far away. And there’s a business lesson in this as well. Students at High Road of the Quad Cities make and sell key chains to raise money for a playground in Uganda. So far, they’ve raised more than $500. According to its website, High Road School of the Quad Cities provides academic and therapeutic services for children, adolescents, and young adults, ages 3 through 21, with extraordinary needs. Landon Montgomery and Nathan Mansell work as a team. One cuts, the other colors. Tara Gonzalez said every key chain they make raises money [...]

QC students make, sell key chains to raise money for Uganda playground2022-04-22T13:41:23-04:00

High Road School of Peoria celebrates neuro diverse learners and the power of music

Children in the classroom learn in a variety of different ways. However, catering to each child's preferred or necessary learning style can be not only difficult, but sometimes impossible in a classroom of over 20 students. That’s where High Road School of Peoria comes in. The organization teams up with local school districts, such as East Peoria #86, Pekin #108, Dunlap #323, Limestone #310, and several others to provide custom designed education plans for students who may benefit from them. The goal is to create a nurturing and stimulating environment that allows for learning and staff and student relationships to [...]

High Road School of Peoria celebrates neuro diverse learners and the power of music2022-04-05T17:03:12-04:00

Community gardens help students blossom and grow. As a therapist, I’ve seen it firsthand.

The garden teaches students about nutrition, stewardship of the earth, collaboration of neighbors and more. Leiser is an occupational therapist at the Sierra School of San Diego, which focuses on special education and is located in San Carlos. She lives in North Park. I distinctly remember the first time I stepped foot into the San Carlos Community Garden. It was a hot San Diego summer day four years ago and I was touring the campus as an occupational therapy student for my level two fieldwork rotation. I was ecstatic being able to implement outdoor therapy for my students in a [...]

Community gardens help students blossom and grow. As a therapist, I’ve seen it firsthand.2022-04-05T11:02:21-04:00

Excel Academy Englewood students inspired by women’s empowerment brunch: ‘The sky is the limit’

When the young women at Excel Academy Englewood encounter challenges in the future following their passion, they're going to remember the women's empowerment brunch at their school. "I learned that the sky is the limit and you can do anything," junior Melody Terry said. "It was good hearing from somebody who started from the bottom and work their way up top and hearing them saying keep going," senior Traviyunna Williams said. In honor of Women's History Month, female students heard from women who have had their share of setbacks, but still accomplished their career goals. "You should always put yourself [...]

Excel Academy Englewood students inspired by women’s empowerment brunch: ‘The sky is the limit’2022-03-28T13:10:05-04:00