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• 2013 recipient of Gay Keiser Speech Pathology Memorial Scholarship

  The Capital Area Intermediate Unit is pleased to announce this year's Gay Keiser Speech Pathology Memorial Scholarship winner is Kimberly Kerstetter, a graduate student in Speech/Language Pathology at Edinboro University.

  Kerstetter received her undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Special Education. After teaching for several years, she decided to pursue a master’s degree in Speech/Language Pathology. She is active in the Edinboro University Speech and Hearing Club and the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association. In addition, Kerstetter is a graduate assistant in the Speech and Hearing Department at Edinboro University and assisted in the development of a freshman year seminar course entitled, “Adele, Einstein, and Marilyn Monroe: Overcoming the Odds, Famous People with Communication Disorders.” She is scheduled to graduate in May 2014.

  Congratulations Kimberly!

  
  

  About the Scholarship

  The scholarship was established by the CAIU Speech/Language Program in memory of Gay Keiser. Keiser was employed at CAIU for 12 years and worked as an itinerant speech/language clinician, educational consultant, and program supervisor. Her interests were in the areas of autism, multiple disabilities, and assistive technology. She promoted ongoing professional staff development to ensure quality services for all children and their families.

  The $2,000 scholarship is awarded to a qualified student who is enrolled in a full-time master’s degree program in speech/language pathology within Pennsylvania and who wishes to pursue a career as a speech/language pathologist in the school setting. The scholarship is made possible by family, friends and colleagues that contribute to the fund. Over the years, the CAIU Speech/Language Program has held casual days to raise money to maintain the scholarship fund, and CAIU employees may choose to contribute to the fund on behalf of retirees.

  Recipients are selected based on a number of factors including the quality of the essay submitted; organizations and activities in which the applicant participates, references, and grade point average.

  May 9 at 2:03 PM | 0 Comments | Full post ›

• Nominations open for the annual Josephine J. Decima Award for Excellence in the Field of Special Education

  Do you know an educator who goes above and beyond in the area of special education? Please consider nominating them for the 2013 Josephine J. Decima Award. This award is presented annually to a teacher in the CAIU’s service area whose commitment and service in the field of special education epitomizes the qualities that Josephine Decima demonstrated in her work with children, including:

  • Advocacy for the educational needs of all children, especially those with physical and mental challenges.
  • Compassion for students with special needs.
  • Commitment to help children with special needs become a vital part of the community.
  •  Effort to provide valuable and practical life experiences for students with special needs.
  • Willingness to share knowledge, skills, and experiences with colleagues in order to strengthen educational programs and pedagogy.
  • Initiative to seek and provide services for students with special needs.

  In the past, this honor has included a $250 monetary award graciously donated by the Decima family.
  
  

  Nominations

  Nominations can come from professionals or parents. Nominees must be an educator of students with special needs who works within the CAIU service area, and must hold PA Level II Certification in the area of special education. Please read the award brochure for more information and an application.
  
  Decima Award Application and Information
  
  

  Nomination Deadline: Friday, May 17, 2013

   

  About Josephine J. Decima

  During her nearly 40 year career in teaching, Josephine J. Decima was a pioneer in the field of special education in central Pennsylvania. She began working with children with mental and physical challenges under a first-of-its-kind program funded by Dauphin County Schools in the 1960s and developed a life-long love and passion for students with special needs who were not integrated into the main stream of public education.

  Decima was one of the leading proponents of inclusive education and was instrumental in having the first high school diploma awarded to a student with special needs. Her belief that students with special needs were entitled to a strong academic program supplemented by life skills training provided her with the drive to fight for improved instructional programs and experiences for all children with physical and/or mental challenges.

  After the creation of Intermediate Units in the early 1970s, Decima was hired by the CAIU to implement innovative teaching strategies for students with special needs. She continued to teach for several years at Paxtonia Elementary School and retired from a long and successful career in education in 1982 as a Master Itinerate Teacher for the CAIU. Decima passed away in 2009.

  The CAIU proudly established the Josephine J. Decima Award in 2010 to recognize and honor teachers who exemplify her outstanding work on behalf of students with special needs.

  May 9 at 12:37 PM | 0 Comments | Full post ›

• Judy Hawthorn of West Shore School District Wins Thomas W. Holtzman, Jr. Leadership Award

  In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, the Capital Area Intermediate Unit is pleased to announce that the winner of the 2012/2013 Thomas W. Holtzman, Jr. Leadership Award is Judy Hawthorn, a technology teacher at Cedar Cliff High School in the West Shore School District. The “Holtzman Award” is given annually to a teacher who is recognized as a leader in public education and the community; exceeds their professional requirements; and earns the respect of students, parents and colleagues. Hawthorn will be presented with the award at the West Shore board meeting on May 16.

  "Selecting a Thomas Holtzman Award winner is a highlight of every academic year," said Theresa Kinsinger, CAIU’s Director of Business, HR, and Communications. "Making it even more special this year is that our winner is retiring in June."

  Hawthorn has been teaching for 35 years in the area of technology and engineering education. "I liked working with people of all kinds and had an experience during my senior year [of high school] that changed the course of my life," said Hawthorn. "I took an Industrial Arts course (tools, materials, and new technologies) and had a truly wonderful teacher. His influence allowed me to understand the importance of a good teacher and I wanted to be like him."

  Throughout her career, Hawthorn has been involved in many professional organizations. She is currently the Executive Director of the Technology and Engineering Education Association of Pennsylvania and is on the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania Technology Student Association. She plans to remain active in these groups after she retires.

  "I have been a leader in Technology and Engineering Education throughout my professional life and admired the ideals that Dr. Holtzman brought to the field," said Hawthorn. "I feel honored to be among this group of educators."

  In addition to the Holtzman Award, Hawthorn was also honored with the Distinguished Technology Educator award in March from the International Technology and Engineering Education Association.

  
  

  About the Award

  The Thomas W. Holtzman, Jr. Leadership Award was established in 2002 to honor the memory of Dr. Thomas Holtzman Jr., the former principal and superintendent at Susquehanna Township School District, whose passion for learning, positive attitude, commitment to his students’ success, and concern for diversity, were an inspiration to all who knew him. Award candidates are nominated by school administration, fellow teachers, parents, and students.

  May 8 at 12:28 PM | 0 Comments | Full post ›

• May 7, 2013, is Teacher Appreciation Day!

  

  May 7 at 12:01 AM | 0 Comments | Full post ›

• CAEA Annouces 2013 Scholarship Recipient

  The Capital Area Education Association (CAEA) is pleased to announce that this year's 2013 scholarship recipient is Brittany Wentzel, a senior from Red Land High School.  Brittany will be attending Virginia Wesleyan College to pursue a career in physical therapy.

  The Scholarship Committee would like to express their gratitude to all of the CAIU colleagues who contributed financially to the scholarship this year.  The committee and the CAEA would also like to thank Kathy Coffey and Cynthia Shaul for their years of service as members of the Scholarship Committee.

  May 6 at 12:02 PM | 0 Comments | Full post ›

• CAIU to offer ESL Program Specialist Certificate in Fall of 2013

  The Capital Area Intermediate Unit (CAIU) will again offer Graduate classes for the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program Specialist Certificate. Participants in these classes are required to complete all six (6) of the three-credit courses to obtain the ESL Program Specialist Certification:
  
  ESL 1: Introduction to Teaching English as a Second Language
  ESL 2: Developing Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity
  ESL 3: Observing, Planning, Implementing, and Managing Instruction
  ESL 4: Language Acquisition and Development
  ESL 5: Assessment and Support
  ESL 6: English Language Learners, Family, Community, and Professionalism

   

  These classes will begin in the fall of 2013. Please continue to check this website for specific dates/times/location and registration.

  April 29 at 4:54 PM | 0 Comments | Full post ›

• April Board Documents and Information Now Available

  April Board Highlights and Dr. Gales' monthly Executive Director's Report from CAIU's April 25, 2013, Board meeting are now available on the CAIU website under about caiu / governance / board of directors: http://www.caiu.org/about/governance/board.aspx. March's meeting minutes are also available.
  
  The Governance page provides easy access to various information, including listings of Board Committees and current Board members, Board meeting dates, Board policy, and AgendaManager access. The CAIU invites you to visit this site regularly for updates and information from the monthly Board meetings.
  
  The May Board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 23, 2013, at 8:00am in the Board Room of the Enola Office.

  April 29 at 2:36 PM | 0 Comments | Full post ›

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