HELLO!!!   We are wishing our Maples “family” a wonderful start to the 2015-2016 school year from the Maples Elementary Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and Special Education Team.

SPECIAL EDUCATION TEAM MEMBERS/ JOB DESCRIPTIONS 

Carla Tennant- Resource Teacher (MA.Sp.Ed.)  

Mary Beth Kingsbury- Resource Teacher (M.Ed.,  M.Ed. Certified Reading Specialist,  MA.Sp.Ed.)

• Special Education teachers work with students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. They adapt general education lessons and teach various subjects, such as reading, writing, and math, to students with mild and moderate disabilities. They also teach basic skills, such as literacy and communication techniques, to students with disabilities. A special education specialist is trained to work with a wide range of students through the implementation of Individualized Education Plans (IEPS). To meet each students’ individual needs, they work closely with the other members of the special education team to devise an educational plan that is appropriate for each student.  Specific short and long-term goals target the development and progression of specific areas of weakness that facilitate the learning process within the general education classroom. Typically, services are provided for students with the following disabilities;

• autism, • deaf-blindness, • emotional disturbance, • hearing impairment (including deafness), • cognitive impairment (mild and moderate), • multiple disabilities, • orthopedic impairment, • other health impairment (including ADD/ADHD) • specific learning disability,   • speech or language impairment, • traumatic brain injury, or • visual impairment (including blindness).

Anastasia Peltz- Speech and Language Pathologist (MA-CCC-SLP)

• A speech and language pathologist works to assess, diagnose, and treat students with voice, fluency, articulation, language, and other related disorders. A variety of assessment methods are utilized including standardized tests, observation, and other special instruments.

Lisa Formosa-Little- School Psychologist (MA-LLP)

• School psychologists are uniquely qualified members of school teams that support students’ ability to learn and teachers’ ability to teach. They apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. School psychologists partner with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community.

Shadia Makled- Social Worker (L.M.S.W.)

• Social Workers are trained mental health professionals who can assist with mental health concerns, behavioral concerns, positive behavioral support, academic and classroom support, consultation with teachers, parents and administrators as well as provide individual and group counseling/therapy.

Staci Ollar- Occupational Therapist (M.Ed., OTR/L)

• An occupational therapist is a trained therapist who teaches, models, and assists students in acquiring the functional abilities necessary to access educational materials and adapt to their educational environment. They help students with daily activities related to educational participation, adapt the performance context, teach alternative methods, or facilitate the use of assistive devices.  Additionally, they support students with physical, sensory, or cognitive disabilities allowing them to be as independent as possible in all areas of their lives.

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MULTI-TIERED SYSTEM of SUPPORTS TEAM (MTSS) DESCRIPTION: 

The Multi-Tiered System of Supports Team (MTSS) is a general education initiative comprised of building administrators, specialists, and special education staff/ ancillary staff, and classroom teachers. It is a school-wide, prevention-based framework for improving learning outcomes for every student through a layered continuum of evidence-based practices and systems. MTSS restructures the educational system by creating a culture in which there is a shared responsibility and collaboration between general education and special education for the purpose of ensuring that the educational needs of every student are met. General and special educators work closely together within collaborative learning groups to create instructional plans that are rigorous and purposeful. These educators collect and analyze data to plan, organize, and deliver supports that reflect the District and State standards and students’ needs.

Remember…

LEARNING opens the WORLD to minds ripe for the JOURNEY.  

Let the journey begin!!!