Inclusive Technology Academy 24/25 by Mike

Mike Marotta

mmatp — 2024-08-23 14:49:58 UTC

Hello everyone! I am excited to be on this learning journey with you. I am an AT Specialist with my own consulting company, Inclusive Technology Solutions. I typically go around the country providing training on AT - now I mostly sit in my house talking to my computer! I live in NJ

Desert island choices:

Albums:

Rush - Moving Pictures

Bob Marley and the Wailers - Legend

Pearl Jam - Vs

Movies:

Star Wars (they all count as 1!)

Jaws

Step Brothers

Books (Too Many to List, but here goes):

The Devil in the White City - Erik Larson

Herding Tigers - Todd Henry

Ghost Rider - Neil Peart

Jen Gosser

2024-09-04 18:17:13 UTC

I’m a 19 year educator who has worked in many different facets teaching. One of my masters was on instructional media and I always love finding new ways to incorporate technology appropriately to support all our learners :)

Gia Adornetto Kendra

2024-09-04 18:17:24 UTC

Hi everyone, my name is Gia. I'm a speech language pathologist in the North Penn School District. I also run a private practice supporting autistic children who are gestalt language processors and/or AAC users. I live in Royersford, PA with my husband, son and dog. I'm excited to be here!

Lindsay Kotulka, OT

2024-09-04 18:17:52 UTC

Hi! I am an Occupational Therapist in Colonial School district and I am very interested in assistive and inclusive technology. I have mainly used communication devices with my students so I am excited to learn about more options for other students I work with.

Erin VanCassele

evancassele — 2024-09-04 18:17:55 UTC

Hi! I am a Supervisor of Special Education at Upper Moreland. This is my 3rd year in admin but my 13th school year. I have taught in NJ, VA, and PA for the past 11 years. I am married to a teacher (teachers stick together) and have 2 kids, Brynn (age 3) and Hudson (age 5) plus a fur child, Sully the cat. I love country music, dark chocolate, and exercising. I am excited to learn more about AAC and how I can support our general education teachers and special education teachers and support staff.

Emily Collins

2024-09-04 18:17:58 UTC

Hello! This is my 8^th year as an SLP and I work at an elementary school (K-4) in the Upper Merion Area School District. I have several students using AT/AAC to communicate as I work with autistic support students. I spent my summer enjoying time home with my husband, 2 girls under 2, and my 2 dogs! I am hoping to learn more to be able to better support and collaborate with general and special education teachers.

I'm Bri! I am an SLP in Souderton SD at the High School. I have over 20 AAC users on my caseload and additional students that use other forms of AT. Excited to learn together and learn how to increase generalization across settings and professions.

2024-09-04 18:18:58 UTC

Hannah Sheehan-Finnerty

2024-09-04 18:20:20 UTC

Hi everyone! My name is Hannah Sheehan and I'm an SLP in the North Penn School District. I grew up in the area and attended North Penn K-12th grade. I now live in Lafayette Hill, PA with my husband, dog, and 6 month old, Kaylee! Looking forward to learning more together!

Favorites:

music- Mumford & Sons, Lumineers, Zach Bryan

TV show- Ted Lasso

hobbies: traveling, journaling, long walks with my dog, and reading

candy: all things gummy and fruity!

2024-09-04 18:20:58 UTC

Hi!

I am in Upper Merion Schools as the Special Ed MS/HS Instructional Coach. I am a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and have worked In UMASD as an SLP from 2014-2023. I am a huge supporter of presuming competence and having a voice through verbal skills or AAC. I am a doctoral student now at the University of Kentucky and love to incorporate inclusive practice into my classes in leadership and research design!

Favorites:

Music-dance, Zumba tunes and Pearl Jam

Family: Hubby, 2 hockey loving boys (12 & 14) and my huge Italian Mastiff named Zira (after Dr. Zira from Planet of the Apes).

Reading: anything, but mostly textbooks at this point!

Ashley Rappaport

2024-09-04 18:24:50 UTC

Hi everyone! I am a Speech-Language Pathologist in Hatboro-Horsham. I work at the elementary level in Autistic Support. More and more of our friends are requiring some form of AAC. I live in Lafayette Hill with my husband and sons. In my free time, I am a chauffer, cook, sports fan, maid, and entertainment organizer for my 4 and 7 year olds. I am excited to learn more about Inclusive Technology!

Julie Adinolfi, MCIU AT

2024-09-04 18:25:43 UTC

Hi Everyone! I'm so excited that you're here and have joined a Core Team! This will allow us to expand the AT capacity in your own districts! I am at the end of my 34th year - and every year I have worked with AT and Inclusive Technology either as an SLP for the first 15 or so years, or as an AT Consultant for the rest. I have been with MCIU for 31 of my years, and was around during the original Core Team trainings, which were over 20 years ago! Very happy to be resurrecting it.

Loves:

My family and friends

Lobster

Chocolate

Adult bevs

The beach

Laser engraving and cutting/art and decor

Low-stress TV and movies :-)

Patty Eichert

2024-09-04 18:26:23 UTC

I am a Special Education Supervisor in Hatboro-Horsham School District. I currently work with elementary and middle school students. I look forward to learning new information for my own buildings but to also share with my colleagues to improve the whole district.

mtsabatinoslp — 2024-09-05 11:01:10 UTC

I’m MaryTherese (MT) Sabatino. I’ve been an SLP in various settings for 18 years & in Colonial school district for the past 8. Currently, I provide therapy services for some of our low incidence classrooms and coordinate AT supports for K-5. I love learning new things and am really excited about developing skills to support teams in AAC/AT implementation.

Favorite activities: running/hiking, reading, working on our really old house.

Happy to meet you all!

😎

emcgover1 — 2024-09-05 16:51:10 UTC

Hi Everyone! I'm Erin McGovern. I have been practicing as an SLP in various settings for 18 years and I have been in the Hatboro-Horsham School District for the last 11 years. I mainly work with students at the secondary level. However, I also work closely with a wonderful occupational therapist to support student use of Assistive Technology and AAC throughout our district. I am excited to learn about new tools and strategies to expand our use of inclusive tech in order to support students in classrooms throughout our school district.

Me outside of school: I live with my husband and 4 children in the Ambler area. I love spending time with my children - especially being a spectator for their sports and activities or squeezing in conversations while I play Uber driver for them. When I have time to myself, I love playing sports, running, and spending time at the gym, as well as traveling and going out to dinner or enjoying beverages with my friends.

Ashley McCoy

2024-09-05 18:07:00 UTC

Hi everyone,

My name is Ashley McCoy and I am a 3rd year teacher at Pottsgrove Middle School. At PGMS, I am the emotional support teacher and case manager. My favorite book right now is called "Shoot Your Shot" that I am in the middle of reading right now with my 8th grade students.

Ashley Ciammetti OT

2024-09-06 01:52:43 UTC

Hi team! I am the OT at CMS & PWHS in Colonial School District. I am super excited to learn all the tricks to help my students and their teachers use their AT/AAC devices more efficiently. I live in Conshohocken with my husband and 4 children, Ellie (7), Christian (4), William (3) and Mia (8 months) Looking forward to meeting you guys in person!

Lauren Benfield

lbenfield — 2024-09-09 16:06:08 UTC

Hi Friends! I am really looking forward to learning with and from you all over the next year! I am a Project Consultant at the MCIU. My work focuses on inclusive practices (Universal Design for Learning / Co-teaching), MTSS Academics, and Literacy. I love my job, especially because I get to interact with so many amazing educators like yourselves!

Family ~ Husband, Lance, and 4 year old daughter, Layla.
Dance! I'm hoping to take an adult tap class this year!
Reading - Current reads: Reading the The Last Mrs. Parrish and listening to Red, White, and Royal Blue. Send me recommendations! (Even though my TBR list is a mile long!)

Looking forward to meeting you all in-person! :)

Jackie Giammarco

2024-09-12 12:50:32 UTC

Hi there! Curriculum Supervisor for Inclusive Practices and Professional Learning in North Penn School District. I have worn many hats over the years: special ed teacher, reading specialist, inclusion Facilitator, instructional coach and curriculum supervisor. I love finding ways to support all students AND teachers!

I love going to the gym, connecting with friends and traveling.

Anna Tolar

2024-09-12 12:52:15 UTC

I am a special education teacher at Pennbrook Middle School in North Penn School District. I currently teach in inclusive classrooms in the content area of social studies. This is my 23rd year teaching. I have been in secondary classrooms in the areas of English, math, History, and World Cultures and Geography.

Lindsey Siciliano

2024-09-12 13:00:27 UTC

Hi everyone!! My name is Lindsey and I am a second year Social Studies teacher, but this is my first year as an 8th Grade U.S. History teacher at Pottsgrove School District.

I love to use technology in my classroom, from scavenger hunts to escape rooms. I enjoy getting my students involved digitally. I am excited to be here, so I can learn about new resources that will benefit my students!

Some things about me:

I love to travel! My most recent trip was to Arizona: Grand Canyon, Phoenix, and Sedona
Reading is one of my favorite pass times. My most recent read was "The Couple Next Door" - I love thrillers!
Any opportunity I have to learn about history I will take! I think it is important to learn about the past to help us consider what events were positive for our world, or what ones weren't so we don't repeat them.
I currently live in Douglassville, PA with my fiancé and pet rabbit named Fletcher
I plan to pursue a master's degree in American History!

Joanne Van Horn

2024-09-12 16:41:08 UTC

I am a Speech Language Pathologist with Montgomery Intermediate Unit Early Intervention division. I am also the AT consultant for EI. I work in the Pottstown area. I have been a SLP for over 30 years, 23 of them with the IU. I am hoping to learn new things I can share with the people I consult with.

My hobbies – the three R’s running, reading and riding. Hope to see you on the trails someday.