https://cciu.zoom.us/j/2738384751

Use the comment section to submit topics you'd like to discuss, any questions you may have, or introduce yourself and provide your contact info if you'd like to connect with others in the program.

• MED 515: Differentiated Instruction in the Inclusive Classroom is currently open

• The group remarked that Canvas feels more comfortable (uploading assignments, finding due dates, etc.)

• Course participants should not receive tuition bills from Alvernia; the course fees are paid via DASD & CCIU

• DASD policy determines whether or not partial reimbursement will be given

• Course participants are permitted to take 2 or 3 courses at a time if they want to work ahead, as long as the courses are offered

• Student Teaching will not be offered over the summer

• All courses are modules

• Course participants asked for bi-weekly (EOW) office hours with Alvernia instructors/professors. CCIU will contact Alvernia with an inquiry and share updated information

• Course participants report finding many connections between their daily work and coursework

• There was also a question about office hours. The professors who are adjunct professors do not hold regular office hours, but they should be available to schedule a meeting with you to discuss any concerns. If you reach out to a professor and do not get a response, please let us know. We don't anticipate this being a concern, but are here to support you.

kelly.burr@alvernia.edu

610-796-8296

Please check your email for a calendar invitation and the Zoom link.

Assigning specific roles to each member, such as timekeeper, reporter, or typist, further ensures that everyone contributes to the group's success.

There is a video section too.

Please check your email for a calendar invitation and the Zoom link.

https://cciu.zoom.us/j/2738384751

The attached version of the suggested course sequence lists December 2026 as the program completion timeline. This timeline allows you to complete the program in 18 months. However, you’re welcome to progress at your own pace and take courses in any order, as long as prerequisites are met. Please remember that your student teaching courses must be the final courses you take.

Additionally, the Special Education Department Chair at Alvernia is aware that many of you would like to move through the program more quickly. Steps are being taken to open additional sections of courses for the Fall and Spring. We appreciate your patience as this requires careful planning and staffing. We’re thrilled to see your enthusiasm and dedication to the program!

shawn.rutt@alvernia.edu

Please check your email for a calendar invitation and the Zoom link.

Please do not wait to ask questions or raise concerns. Feel free to post questions on the Padlet, or send questions via email to the CCIU mentor team, Christina Beck, Kelly Burr, or Dr. Rutt.

It is easier to problem-solve sooner rather than later. We are here to support you!

There will be 3-4 additional courses required.

You could potentially seek tuition reimbursement for those courses through your collective bargaining unit once you are working as a certified, contracted teacher.

Kathleen Bulloch

Teachers are often asked to modify instruction to accommodate special needs students. This article takes the mystery out of adapting materials and strategies for curriculum areas.

Berks County Transition Guide (online version only): https://sites.google.com/view/berkstransition/home/resource-menu

Please feel free to post question on the Padlet, or send questions to the CCIU mentor team, Christina Beck, Kelly Burr, or Dr. Rutt.

Robin Cunconan-Lahr

RCunconan-Lahr@northampton.edu

DASD  Para- Academic Advisor 

Tonia Breech  

tbreech@northampton.edu

Kate Stopford

kstopford@immaculata.edu 

Shawn RuttShawn.Rutt@alvernia.edu

Kelly BurrKelly.Burr@alvernia.edu

2) Christina Beck was granted permission from Dr. Rutt for Andrea McMenamin to provide an interview for the group using a redacted IEP

3) Andrea McMenamin facilitated the optional MED 544 work session via Zoom on 3/31 from 4:00-5:30 PM.

*Please reach out to Andrea if you could not attend and would like more information.

Please feel free to post comments on the Padlet, or send questions to the CCIU mentor team or to Christina Beck.

2) Christina Beck offered to contact the professor(s) at Alvernia to inquire about differentiation possibilities (audio notes, in-person/virtual sessions).

3) CCIU mentor team offered an optional work session held via Zoom for those enrolled in MED 544 for help connecting the course content to daily work and to collaborate on the final course assignment.

4) What happens to PCA students during student teaching?

• Christina Beck is in communication with DASD HR about scheduling this.

2) Students are reminded that challenges are to be expected in accelerated courses and that the Alvernia program is designed to be completed in 18 months. A slower pace is possible, but that will change the program completion timeframe since courses cannot be moved. Please check all course offering dates carefully.

*Be sure to stay in touch with Kelly Burr regarding any scheduling or advisory questions/concerns.

3) The group spent time reflecting on the most recent coursework, sharing successes and key takeaways with one another.

This is a recurring invitation so you should see it in your email calendar.

There are lesson plan templates and data collection sheets available here - resources you can use in your coursework.

2) I need to work with a student who has literacy goals: Some colleagues do not have access to students with literacy goals. The group brainstormed possible solutions.

3) When can I student teach? Student teaching is 4 credits: 671 and 673 in MOD 4. It should be available in the spring. If students are finishing 522 (Practicum), on 10/10/2025, there may be a gap in coursework until the spring.

4) Can I set up my own student teaching placement? All student teaching placements are handled by DASD. CCIU does not place students.

5) Will practicum & student teaching placements expand to include exposure to other grade bands? Probably not; students are employed and assigned to one class for this program.

6) Who can complete my student teaching observations? The cooperating teacher must be a certified special education teacher.

Please try not to take any coursework while enrolled in student teaching. That should be the last set of courses in your personal programming.

Please reach out to an advisor at Alvernia with personal scheduling and enrollment questions.

Check your calendar for registration dates.

The observation project is challenging, but applicable and achievable.

The feedback from course participants continues to be positive.

The group discussed the Praxis testing process. Please see the Padlet column titled Student Teaching for more information.

1) Will student teaching at a DASD placement start in January for practicum and student teaching? Or will there be a practicum placement and then a different student teaching placement?

It is possible that the practicum placement starting in January will be different than the student teaching placement starting in March. That will be on a case-by-case basis and depends on the districts' needs to support students with PCA services.

2) How many hours is student teaching per day? Is that number different than the house required per day for practicum?

DASD is still working on ensuring PCA coverage for students with PCA services and will communicate placements as soon as possible. The hours per day will be determined.

Course participants are encouraged to check their emails from DASD for practicum and student teaching dates/hours/placements.

• Praxis 5511 – A general assessment covering Reading, Math, Social Studies, and Science

• Praxis 5355 – Focused on Special Education practices and laws

Be sure to save all confirmation information.

Please remember, should you not pass one or more certification tests, there is a waiting period before you will be permitted to register to try again. Please do not wait until the summer time to begin testing. It is recommended that you register and test no later than May, 2026, but please discuss your individual situation with your Alvernia advisor.

1. To apply for your PDE Instructional I Certificate to teach Special Education in Pennsylvania, you’ll need passing scores on the following exams:

• Praxis 5511 – A general assessment covering Reading, Math, Social Studies, and Science

• Praxis 5355 – Focused on Special Education practices and laws

2. You can review current testing information and requirements on the PDE website: HERE

3. When you’re ready, register for your exams through this ETS site: https://praxis.ets.org/. You will be able to see a list of dates, times, and locations to choose from.  You will need to have payment ready at the time of registration. 

4. When you register, be sure to save all confirmation information.  We recommend printing everything out and writing down your username and password.  It can be quite difficult to recover or reset your username and password on this ETS site. Your confirmation will include all details about the test (location, arrival time, what to bring with you, etc.). 

5. We recommend testing in-person, at one of the ETS testing sites.  The location at West Chester University is convenient.  There is another location in King of Prussia.  We realize there is a test-at-home option, but have heard that this is more complex than attending a testing location.  This is, of course, up to your personal preference.

6. When you register for the test, you should receive access to a practice test.  We recommend selecting the option to use the free practice test.  This practice test mirrors exactly the experience you will have during the actual test.  This way, you will know what types of questions there are, how the timing will work, where the buttons are located for answering the questions, how you advance to the next screen, etc.  You can choose to buy additional practice tests and study guides, but the free practice test should be sufficient to prepare for test day. You have access to the practice test for several trials. Make sure, when you are using the practice test, that you have time to sit and take the whole test in one sitting.  Otherwise, you will forfeit one of your trials. 

7. The free practice test will show you what answers you get wrong, and it will also explain why you answered incorrectly.  If you find you are not improving your speed and score after using the practice tests, then you may want to purchase additional study guides.  There are some to choose from on the ETS site. 

8. Please remember, should you not pass one or more certification tests, there is a waiting period before you will be permitted to register to try again. Each time you test, you must pay the fee. Please do not wait until the summertime to begin testing. It is recommended that you register and test no later than May, 2026, but please discuss your individual situation with your Alvernia advisor.

   
   

Once you have passing Praxis scores AND your coursework is complete, you will want to contact Dr. Shawn Rutt who will verify those two pieces (passing scores and completed coursework) and recommend you for certification to PDE. 

Eventually you will need to create an account on TIMS (teacher management system) and that is where you will access your PPID (professional personnel identification number) and all certifications that you accumulate in Pennsylvania. 

Congrats!  You are getting closer to certification!  

• Please check with Dr. Rutt, and read the information on the following link:

  https://www.pa.gov/agencies/education/programs-and-services/educators/certification/current-pa-educators/instructional-add-ons

  
  

  2) Is there a Praxis study group at Alvernia?

• Christina Beck will check on that during her next scheduled meeting with Alvernia

  
  

3) How else can I prepare for the Praxis tests?

• Kathleen Jasper has several videos posted on YouTube that are worth viewing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rQkFOxNWjc

  
  

  
  

Next meeting: March 13th, 2026 at 7:45 AM

Andrea McMenamin is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Andrea McMenamin's Personal Meeting Room

Join Zoom Meeting

https://cciu.zoom.us/j/2738384751

Meeting ID: 273 838 4751

• the due dates will vary by section and professor. It is best to reach out to your professor directly for clarity.

Congratulations!

We celebrated the successful completion of Praxis testing for one of our group members. She shared her experience with how she prepared for testing, and what test day was like at the testing site.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing.

Have a relaxing summer break!