Latest news with #BerksCountyIntermediateUnit
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Mifflin teacher wins 2025 Annie Sullivan Award
A life skills support teacher from Gov. Mifflin High School has been honored for her work supporting students with disabilities. Tracey Miller was chosen from 21 finalists as the winner of the 2025 Annie Sullivan Award. Named after the famed teacher of Helen Keller, the Annie Sullivan Award is presented each year by the Berks County Intermediate Unit in recognition of an individual who has worked to encourage the understanding and promotion of students with disabilities in their school or community. Gov. Mifflin School District life skills support teacher Tracey Miller, center, is the winner of the 2025 Annie Sullivan Award. With her, from left, are William Bennett, Mifflin supervisor of special education; Dr. Michelle Reichard-Huff, director of early childhood and student services at the Berks County Intermediate Unit; Brian Bell, Mifflin director of student services; Dr. Lisa Peterson, Mifflin supervisor of special education; Gary McEwen, BCIU board president; and Dr. Jill Hackman, BCIU executive director. (Courtesy of BCIU) Miller has worked in the Mifflin district since 1995. During her time there, she has developed the middle school life skills support program and later expanded her efforts at the high school level by establishing a simulated house setting for independent living skills. She has also created and still manages a school-run thrift store, diner and coffee shop that provide students with real-world job skills. 'Tracey has consistently demonstrated unwavering dedication to supporting students with disabilities, creating innovative programs and fostering inclusion,' a nomination statement from her colleagues said. 'She continues to give back, balancing her work with a deep commitment to her family and community. 'Her passion, creativity and compassion make her an ideal candidate for the Annie Sullivan Award. Through her remarkable contributions, Tracey has positively impacted countless lives and is a true advocate for all students.' Along with teaching, Miller coaches Unified Sports Bocce, advises the Unified Mustangs club, organized a countywide Job Skills Olympics and guides future special education educators. The 21 finalist for the Berks County Intermediate Unit's 2025 Annie Sullivan Award. (Courtesy of the Berks County Intermediate Unit) In addition to Miller, the following were the other finalists: • Anna Legg, life skills and autistic support teacher, Antietam School District. • Susan Schwartz, service occupations instructor, Berks Career and Technology Center. • Cheri Heebner, early intervention lead teacher, Berks County Intermediate Unit. • Edith Bennet, physical therapist, Boyertown School District. • Rita Kayhart, paraprofessional, Brandywine Heights School District. • Winston Kendell, custodian, Conrad Weiser School District. • Rachel Christman, learning support teacher, Daniel Boone School District. • Kaisha McCulley, director of transportation, Exeter School District. • Melissa Majewski, student services administrative assistant, Fleetwood School District. • Nicholas Adams, emotional support teacher, Hamburg School District. • Elizabeth Wessner, first grade teacher, Kutztown School District. • Elizabeth Chapman, special education coordinator, Muhlenberg School District. • Kelly Herrmann, special education teacher, Oley Valley School District. • Elizabeth Allen, paraprofessional, Reading-Muhlenberg Career and Technology Center. • Keesha Scott, paraprofessional, Reading School District. • Christine Nguyen, special education paraprofessional, Schuylkill Valley School District. • Hanna Woolf, life skills and autistic support teacher, Tulpehocken School District. • Regine Glass, life skills teacher, Twin Valley School District. • Monica Lawrence, autistic support teacher, Wilson School District. • Jillian Disla, special education paraprofessional, Wyomissing School District.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Local students compete in 11th annual STEM Design Challenge
About 160 students from school across Berks County got a chance to show off their science, technology, engineering and math skills this week. The students, making up 40 teams, competed in the 11th annual STEM Design Challenge at the Berks County Intermediate Unit. Azariah Ongwae, left, and Adalynn Woodward, both 11 and both fifth graders at Greenwich Elementary in the Kutztown School District work on a pollution separator during the Berks County Intermediate Unit's 11th annual STEM Design Challenge on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at the BCIU Main Office, 1111 Commons Blvd., Muhlenberg Township. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE) The contest was broken into two age groups, with students in fourth and fifth grades competing Tuesday and sixth- and eighth-graders competing Thursday. The challenge was a hands-on event, with students designing and using K'Nex or Engino pieces to build a prototype that addresses a real-world problem related to infrastructure, transportation or urban development. Elementary school students participate in the Berks County Intermediate Unit's 11th annual STEM Design Challenge on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at the BCIU Main Office, 1111 Commons Blvd., Muhlenberg Township. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE) The contest focused on industry, innovation and industry, and the students sought to develop innovative solutions for more efficient, sustainable and accessible cities, roads and systems. The purpose of the competition is to expand STEM-related educational opportunities for students at the regional and state levels while highlighting the importance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education. As the Sweet Read City Transportation Authority, students create a simulated city during the Berks County Intermediate Unit's 11th annual STEM Design Challenge on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at the BCIU Main Office, 1111 Commons Blvd., Muhlenberg Township. From left are Maddy Hall, 10; Hailey Winslow, 9; Patrick Hannigan, 9; and Eva Weaver, 10, all fourth graders from Brecknock Elementary in the Gov. Mifflin School District. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE) The winners of the competition were: Grades 4 and 5 First — Sweet Read City Transportation Authority, Brecknock Elementary School. Second — K'Nex Creators of Cumru, Cumru Elementary School. Third (tie) — STEM Gems, Oley Valley Elementary School. Third (tie) — Artistic Architects, Oley Valley Elementary School. Fan Favorite — Beauty & Brains, Whitfield Elementary School. Grades 6-8 First — Wind-Assisted Vehicle Engineering, Twin Valley Middle School Second — Infrastructure Initiators, Oley Valley Middle School Third — Flood Fighters, St. Catharine's School, Mount Penn Fan Favorite — Adventure Bay Inventors, Wilson Southern Middle School.
