Feature Story for Spring 2012
Meet Monique McHenry and Jeanette Jaworski
Pathways' feature story exemplifies people who take the initiative to "dream forward" the inclusive principles of Pathways to new heights! These people have taken the action steps and completed projects that not only include everyone, but add opportunity and value to others.
For the past three years, Monique McHenry from Bernards Parents for Exceptional Children (PEC) has worked to ensure every third grade student in Bernards Township Public Schools has received the mentor training. This is no small task as this entails training 4-5 classrooms in each of their 4 elementary schools for a total of over 450 students in about 3 months of time. Jeanette Jaworski has joined Monique this year and their goal became even more aggressive to train both the third and sixth grades this 2011-2012 school year. By February 17, 2012 these parents met their goal and worked to train over 890 students! It is a lot of work to schedule the trainings and to recruit 3-4 volunteer parents for every training of 25-30 students. Bernards PEC has also made it a goal to conduct sensitivity trainings in all of their elementary schools for teachers this year. Pathways began training teachers in Oak Street School in December 2011. The training received rave reviews and we look forward to training more professionals in 2012!
In addition to the school trainings, Amy Grotland from Bernards PEC works every year to conduct the mentor trainings for 75-100 students for their after-school programs.
Pathways would like to commend the parents of Bernards PEC for making sensitivity training for all students such a priority and especially to Monique and Jeanette for all the time they have spent volunteering to ensure their district's children develop a strong acceptance for children of all abilities! We also appreciate the assistance of the Bernards PEC - Co-Presidents, Lisa McNey and Sherry Nelson, pictured upper right with Melinda Jennis. Pathways met their goal of training 10,000 children in eight years at the Liberty Corner School in Bernards Township in December 2011!
To send us your story, please click here to email (info@pathwayskids.org) or call (973) 856-9587 if you need further assistance to get your story to us!
William Annin Middle School Brings "Include ME!" to Sixth Grade Students
Pathways spent 10 days in William Annin Middle School training 438 - 6th grade students using Pathways' "Include ME!" program curriculum that was designed specifically for the students at this school. One teacher reported the program was the best he had seen in 13 years he had been teacher! The photo at left features from left to right; Ms. Karen Hudock, Principal at William Annin Middle School, Ms. Mary Ehid, Assistant Principal at William Annin Middle School, Ms. Monique McHenry, PTA Co-President, Ms. Jeanette Jaworski, Mentor Coordinator for Bernard's PEC, and Melinda Jennis, President of Pathways for Exceptional Children. Congratulations to all the grade schools and William Annin Middle School in Bernard's Township School District and Bernard's PEC! You have made a difference in the lives of your students!
 Melinda Jennis conducting a Mentor Training at Mount Prospect School
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 Third grader's thoughts on the training
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 Melinda Jennis' son Jacob pictured with Ms. McHenry at William Annin Middle School
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