PaTTANpod

Moving into a new community and starting at a new school can be challenging for students. For immigrant and refugee students, challenges often exist because of cultural and language differences. Cultural navigation is a model for providing linguistically and culturally relevant support to English Learners and their families. The team of cultural navigators and advisors understand key components of the cultures of the families they serve and are equipped to enhance communication and trust among students, families, and schools, and provide supports to bridge home, community, and school.

PaTTAN educational consultant, Maria Ronneburger, and IU13 community education supervisor, Joshua McManness, joined PaTTANpod to discuss how the Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13’s team of cultural navigators works with the School District of Lancaster and local community to build partnerships that empower students and their families. Isobel Benites and Jalilah Yacoub shared what cultural navigation means to their families. IU13 cultural navigators, Ahmadullah Falzi, Jeremy Rhoads, and Sunila Safi provided a glimpse into their role and efforts.

There are many roles individuals play in a school setting. Each one carries a heavy responsibility for ensuring the welfare of our students – physically, emotionally, and academically.

A dynamic role in the school setting is that of a paraprofessional.

In alignment with Pennsylvania’s dedication to Attracting, Preparing, and Retaining practitioners in education, specifically in special education, Christine Moon, educational consultant from PaTTAN West / state lead for the APR pillar at the state level, Tammy Adams, Special Education Supervisor for the West Allegheny School District and Renee Patterson, a paraprofessional in West Allegheny School District joined PaTTANpod to discuss the dynamic role of paraprofessionals.

There is not a one-size fits all postsecondary path for every students, so it is critical for them to be prepared for success on whatever path they take after graduating.

Career and Technical Education in Pennsylvania offers students the opportunity to develop critical skills through a combination of classes and hands-on learning experiences, which allow them to apply academics to real-world problems.

Joining PaTTANpod is the Director of the Bureau of Special Education, Carole Clancy and Lee Burket, Director of Career and Technical Education at the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Part II of this series, additional agencies are highlighted for networking students and families to the resources available to them.

Effective partnerships that support students and the overall school improvement process, that’s what we are all seeking. In this two-part series, we focus our attention on the many networks available for families and caregivers and how each of these organizations and agencies help us to build stronger family-school partnerships.

The understanding and practice of inclusive classrooms and schools has been a foundation within Pennsylvania. Simply stated, inclusive education means that all students are accepted and have a true sense of belonging within the school community. The conversation will focus on inclusive practices and what they may look like in a school setting with Mike Bovino, Senior Advisor for Special Olympics, Pennsylvania.