2015-16 KATC Training Site Initiative Update
The KATC Training Site initiative for the 2015-16 school year is up and running in eastern, western and central Kentucky. The initiative is a collaborative effort with special education cooperatives and the sites are visited by three KATC Field Trainers.
In eastern Kentucky, KATC Field Trainer Kim Howard, is currently working in 6 counties in the KEDC cooperative area with a total of 9 classrooms involved. In the KVEC cooperative area Howard is working with 2 counties, but has a total of 8 classrooms involved this school year. “I am so pleased with the progress that I have already seen in the classrooms we are working with. The teachers involved in the training sites are working hard to implement evidence based practices for their students. Throughout the school year these teachers are using action plans to ensure student success. I look forward supporting these schools throughout the year and seeing the success of students!” Kim Howard.
In the central part of the state, KATC Field Trainer Laura Ferguson, is working at training sites in Bullitt, Carroll, Owen, Oldham, Henry, Pendleton, Jessamine, Bardstown, Laurel, Casey, Harlan, and Hardin counties and school districts. The Low Incidence consultants involved in this area include Carla Jordan (OVEC), Kim Weber (NKCES), Sally Miracle (CKEC) and Renee Leach (SESC). Along with the cooperatives KATC works in collaboration with several district consultants including Debbie Williams (Bullitt), Denise Emberton (Hardin), Jennifer Bryant (Oldham), and Sarah Whitfield (Jessamine).
“With the start of the school year under our belt our classrooms are focused on creating behavior plans, structured teaching systems, systematic instructional procedures, and classroom setups that work best for individuals on the autism spectrum. Through data from our classroom observation tool our goals and action plans were developed to set up areas to increase or areas of focus for each classroom or individual student. Our goals are that each teacher progresses in their knowledge of the 27 evidence-based practices. I look forward to working with each of these dedicated teachers and staff.” Laura Ferguson.
KATC Field Trainer Michelle Antle is working with schools in the western Kentucky region this school year where there are currently six training sites. Caldwell County Middle School and Central Elementary in Graves County were both selected as first year sites, while Calloway County Middle School, Lone Oak Middle School in McCracken County, and South Christian Elementary and Christian County High Schools continued their work under this initiative. The GRREC region also has training sites at Stevenson Elementary in Russellville Independent School district, South Hancock and North Hancock Elementary in Hancock County School district. In addition, Antle and the GRREC consultant are supporting Hardinsburg Elementary in Breckinridge County and Jamestown Elementary in Russell County, both of which are in their second year of implementation as a training site.