Event recognizes year-long projects

From collecting toys to help students practice math and empathy, to creating encouraging messages for parents of children with special needs, BOCES teaching assistants shared projects they created this school year on May 3 at the 2011 Teaching Assistant Showcase.

Susan Jadlos, Phyllis McClarty and Lucille Roberts describe their College Based Transition Experience Board Game at the May 3 Teaching Assistant Showcase.

The annual event recognized six projects, created by one or more teaching assistants. As part of their annual performance review, BOCES' about 350 teaching assistants are required each year to either have an observation, create a growth plan, or create a project that shows professional growth. The showcase gives the opportunity for a few of the hundreds of teaching assistants who create projects to present their work to their peers, administrators and other staff.

About 40 attended Monday's event, held at 900 Watervliet-Shaker Road.

"I'm very proud of them," said Assistant District Superintendent for Instruction Kathryn Gerbino of the teaching assistants. "Their projects will amaze you." She noted that all the projects link the New York State learning standards with classroom instruction.

Those presenting on Monday included teaching assistants Donna Fleshman and Cathy Savage, who organized a Toys for Tots collection. They involved their special education students throughout the project, teaching them math skills (such as counting the number of toys each collection box could hold), presentation skills (students discussed their donations with classmates) and empathy — all while collecting more than 400 toys for children in need.

Teaching assistant Cathy Nasser gave her presentation, "Adventures in Raising a Handicapped Child," which she created to help parents deal with the challenges and emotions involved with raising a child with disabilities, including grieving not having a "perfect child," and finding joy in every day moments. "You don't get what you expected — you get more," she said.

Also presenting Monday were Chuck Fuller, "Culinary I Portfolio,"; Susan Jadlos, Phyllis McClarty and Lucille Roberts, "College Based Transition Experience Board Game," and Linda Sawyer, "Photography in the Classroom."

Congratulations to all the teaching assistants!