=Alumnus Feature: Joshua C. Benyo=
Congratulations to Joshua C. Benyo, our M.A. Ed. Community Education graduate, for his new position as the Program Service Director at Wheeling’s YWCA. Lori Jones, the YWCA Executive Director, stated, “The Board of Directors and I are pleased to have Josh join our team. He brings with him the tools for success: education, experience, and commitment. He is a good fit and well equipped. I am excited that his talents and gifts can elevate our service delivery.” We are proud of you, Josh!
=Exercise Physiology Faculty and Students in Better Me II Challenge=
Exercise Physiology faculty and students were very excited to be assisting in the Better Me II Challenge sponsored by QuickFit and MedExpress at QuickFit 30-Minute Fitness in Weirton. They measured blood pressure and conducted body composition testing for the residents. Our Exercise Physiology team will facilitate the Better Me III Challenge from March 1st to May 31st again. Mr. Brandon Bolduc, Exercise Physiology Instructor, commented, “As exercise physiologists, we understand the importance of incorporating physical activity into one’s daily lifestyle. Both my students and I are thrilled to help pass on this knowledge to those involved in the challenge. This will provide the students with a great learning opportunity by working with the community to apply the skills they have learned in the classroom.”
=Amazing Projects in the Center for Arts and Education=
Faculty collaborated with the Center to facilitate several productive class projects this week: (1) Dr. Judy Stechly’s READ 210: Children’s Literature classes participated in a bookmaking workshop with Rachel Shipley. The students utilized the resources at the Center to accomplish their “Me Book” projects, and (2) Chemistry professor, Dr. Douglas Swartz, worked with 8 students in the Chemistry Instrumental Analysis class to make combination electrodes to use in their upcoming labs. The Center for Arts and Education welcomes all the faculty, students, and friends!
=Active Activities in the Dance Studio and Swimming Pool=
Mrs. Kathleen Wack, Instructor of Physical Education, led the Health and Physical Education majors, Avery Goff, Azia Halstead, and Greg Stagini to brainstorm choreography for a hip hop dance performance in PE 117. Students in her Beginning Swimming class had fun water volleyball and paddleball practices in the pool!
=Treatment and Education of Autistic and Communications-Handicapped Children=
The students from SPED 402: Autism students have been learning about the TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and Communications-Handicapped Children) approach to Autism Spectrum Disorder. The TEACCH approach targets critical skill areas, is individualized, and can be adapted for all ages. TEAACH aims to increase individual skills and independence while also making the environment more comprehensible to each student. The TEAACH approach is highly systematic and structured and shows respect for and understanding of the “culture of autism” throughout. Autism II students first learned about the TEAACH method. Then, with a group, the students reviewed information for a student with autism. Using this information, they created an action plan for implementing the TEACCH model in a classroom. Each student in the group made a TEACCH task box (example featured below) and all of the boxes made in a group will come together to make a complete work system. During the next class, students will demonstrate their entire work system by role playing the parts of student and teacher and answering questions about their decisions for their system. Nicole Davis, Instructor of Early/Special Education, stated, “We collaborated with Lou Karas in the Center for Arts and Education for this project. Creating task boxes in the center was important for the students to learn about creating materials instead of buying them, using recycled or repurposed materials when possible, and dealing with the constraints of a limited budget.”
=West Liberty Council for Exceptional Children Fundraiser=
The Council for Exceptional Children is selling T-shirts and dry-fit College of Education polos. Money is due by Friday, February 20 at noon to Mrs. Sarah Schimmel (Shotwell Hall 110, sschimmel@westliberty.edu); Vice President, Courtney Gamble (304-830-1811); or Secretary/Treasurer, Beth Ann Melko (304-639-7554).
=hAPPy Friday Tools/Apps Learning=
Bookabi is a free 2D and 3D storybook creation tool for Grade K-5. Users can choose from Bookabi’s backgrounds, characters, objects, and stickers or use their own photos and become part of the story. Users can record and listen to audio on each page. Teachers in the special education program have been using this app for creating simple social stories for autism spectrum and EBD students. Students can use this user-friendly app to write their own storybooks which give them a voice. Please download the App Integration Snapshots by Eanes ISD. Watch a brief Tutorial Video to learn a quick how-to.