Karen Kangas, ECSE Non-Classroom Teacher
The ECSE Non-Classroom program guides young children in their natural environments like Head Start, the 4-Year Old Programs, and Local Childcare Centers. Karen provides services for children 3-5 years old in the areas of school readiness with an emphasis on early learning standards and social/emotional development. Children must be eligible for special education services and require a specialized program. Karen may be contacted by phone at (906)575-3438, ext 312, or by email at kakangas@goisd.org
Ashley Oliver-Igl, Elementary MoCI Teacher
The Elementary MoCI Classroom serves students kindergarten-elementary age. Our program is a language based program, emphasizing functional academic, leisure, self-help, and social skills. We are using Unique Learning Systems curriculum, which is a standards based curriculum that is designed specifically for students with moderate to severe cognitive disabilities. The curriculum is web based and a sample lesson plan can be viewed at the following website: http//unique.n2y.com/samples/IntermediateSample.pdf.
Zones of Regulation is also used in teacher self-regulation. Ashley may be contacted by phone at (906)575-3438, ext. 311 or by email at aoliver@goisd.org.
Jay Pawlak, Young Adult Transition Teacher
The MoCI Transition Program focuses on preparing students for life after school. Our primary goals are to teach students the skills needed to live independently, acquire and maintain a job, and other daily life skills the students will need. To reach these goals, students learn life skills through the Unique Learning System (ULS) curriculum. As students learn these skills they then practice these skills in the community. Once students acquire these skills they begin transitioning these skills into real world experiences through work-based learning assignments. Students will also begin to utilize outside agencies like Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) and Community Mental Health (CMH). These agencies help with the transition process by providing services that students will continue to have access to as they exit the Transition Program. With these services and parental support, these young adults can live a productive and happy life after school.
“We can’t just teach students how to count, we need to teach them what counts most.” Jay may be contacted by phone at (906)575-3438, ext. 314, or by email at jpawlak@goisd.org.
Carolyn Warren, Elementary MoCI Classroom Teacher
The Elementary MoCI classroom consists of students who are in kindergarten through sixth grade and have moderate to severe cognitive impairments. Our primary goal is to teach students functional academics and daily living skills to encourage independence and success. We use a program called Unique Learning System, which is a standards-based curriculum that teaches reading, writing, math, and social skills at each child’s ability level. In addition, we use other research-based practices, such as Zones of Regulation and CORE vocabulary, to meet the educational, emotional, and communication needs of all students. Carolyn can be contacted by phone at (906)575-3438 , ext. 315, or by email at cwarren@goisd.org.