In the Spotlight arlynton-Montour
CARLYNTON SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Humane Teacher of the Year
Crafton Elementary reading specialist Susan Kosko has been selected as the 2016 Humane Teacher of the Year, a national gold winning award presented for her commitment to humane education. The accolade recognizes Mrs. Kosko for motivating students to act on behalf of animals through inspiring lessons in the curriculum.
Mrs. Kosko’ s involvement with the Dolphin Project, Reading with Rover, habitat gardens and her association with the Audubon Society are credited to student growth in reading fluency and writing skills. Kosko employs these strategies in the classroom to stimulate and cultivate a love for reading.
The Dolphin Project has been used as an effective teaching curriculum as students engage with a team of marine biologists off the Gulf Coast of Florida. Students use Livestream or Skype to learn about dolphins and other sea life while reading and researching to learn more. The impact has been vast. A few years back, students raised monies to rescue Seymour, a dolphin entangled in fishing line. The story was later captured and filmed by a crew from the ABC syndicated show,“ Sea Rescue.”
Reading with Rover brings dogs and their owners into the classroom for readaloud sessions. The activity has effectively encouraged students to read and nurtured an affection for all animals.
A habitat garden planted on school grounds, in cooperation with the Audubon Society, includes flowers, plants and bushes to attract birds and wildlife. The garden is designed in the shape of a cougar paw and students are involved in the tasks of weeding, mulching and watering. In the classroom, they read about the plants, flowers and wildlife in the garden. The Audubon Society provides access to Skypes sessions with rangers from Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Canyon.
The Humane Society of the United States has bestowed this award annually
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With the help of Sarah, a Boykin Spaniel, Susan Kosko works with young readers Taylor Froehich, Tristen O’ Leary, Dakoda Darnley and Rylee Booher as they enjoy the book Buddy Unchained by Daisy Bix and Joe Hyatt. Sarah and her owner, Ed Henke, are active members of the Reading with Rover program.
since 1981, applauding outstanding teachers who consistently incorporate humane education into the curriculum and encourage students to get involved in community service for animals. The Society was particularly impressed by Kosko’ s propensity to touch on a wide range of issues affecting wildlife and pets by way of a reading program.
As part of the award, Mrs. Kosko will receive a scholarship to the Certified Humane Education Specialist credentialing program.
STEPP Award Winner
High school health and physical education teacher Lisa Rowley was awarded the 2016 STEPP Award from the Local Task Force on the Right to Education in Allegheny County. STEPP or the Scott E. Follmer Memorial Student, Teacher and Exemplary Practice or Partnering awards recognizes the outstanding support of children receiving special education services.
Mrs. Rowley was nominated
STEPP Award Winner Lisa Rowley for her endeavors in inclusionary practices for student with disabilities in the junior-senior high school. She was honored at a ceremony in May.
A strong proponent of Peer to Peer education and the Unifed Bocce team, of which she facilitates, she is also commended for her contributions to the Best Buddies program. Under her guidance, the Carlynton chapter of Best Buddies has received the honor of Best Buddies of the Year for the second consecutive year.
Making a Difference
District Superintendent Dr. Gary Peiffer has been accepted into a statewide superintendent’ s academy that will study educating and meeting the needs of students struggling with poverty. One hundred superintendents from across the Commonwealth will participate in this academy. The two-year commitment will consist of intensive study of research involving case studies of effective practices and programs from the United States and the world to improve educational opportunities for students in need.
Dr. Peiffer traveled to Harrisburg for the first Academy session May 15-17 to meet and strategize with other superintendents and educational leaders on this topic. These sessions will be held regularly over the next two years in the summer, fall and spring.