Maverick has been a part of the NEIU family since he turned 3, and for the past two years, he's been a bright light in our William Street classroom with his teacher, Ms. Erica Duffy and speech therapist, Ms. Taylor-Ray Beautz. This school year, Maverick has shown truly incredible growth, his transformation has been nothing short of inspiring. With his bright personality and contagious sense of humor, Maverick brings joy to everyone around him. He's made remarkable progress in his social development, growing into a kind and thoughtful friend who now interacts more confidently and comfortably with his peers. While he continues to work on initiating conversations and engaging in group play, his efforts and improvements have been outstanding. Maverick is also incredibly observant. he is always the first to notice any change in the classroom or greet a new friend. Academically, he's made great strides in reading and spelling and takes pride in classroom responsibilities like helping with morning circle and watering the plants. One of his proudest moments was using alphabet letters to spell out his name all by himself! In occupational therapy, Maverick has truly shined. He's become completely independent in the classroom and has made big progress in self-help tasks, handwriting, and cutting skills. He's always ready to greet his OT with a cheerful "hi" and brings energy and warmth to every session. Maverick's social and emotional growth has been amazing to witness. With his determination and positivity, there's no doubt that Maverick is more than ready for kindergarten at Mid Valley Elementary. We know he will continue to do great things alongside his brothers in "big boy school." We are so proud of everything Maverick has accomplished. Way to go, Maverick! Keep shining, you're going to do amazing things!

With a deep passion for literacy and a career dedicated to student success, Carly Coalson brings a wealth of experience and heart to her role as Curriculum Specialist at the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit. Her journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Psychology from Wilkes University, followed by early classroom experience as a second-grade teacher in Chester, PA from 2005 to 2007. Driven to deepen her impact, she earned her Master’s degree in Literacy and Reading Specialist certification from West Chester University. She then served as a Title I Reading Specialist for students in grades 4–12 in West Chester before joining the Capital Area Intermediate Unit in Harrisburg, where she worked from 2008 to 2017. At CAIU, she supported students directly and consulted with smaller schools to build instructional capacity and use data to drive literacy improvement. In 2017, Carly relocated and joined NEIU, continuing her work in literacy through the Act 89 department. Since stepping into the Curriculum Specialist role in 2022, her leadership has been transformative. She helped develop Pennsylvania’s Structured Literacy Training of Trainers program, became a certified LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) facilitator for both Volumes 1 and 2, and revitalized the region’s Literacy Network. She also plays an active role on the School Improvement Team, coordinates the NEIU Induction Program for partnering districts, and leads the popular NEIU Reading Tournament. Her colleagues describe her as a kind, intelligent, and caring individual who consistently goes above and beyond to make others feel included and valued. Known for her generosity of spirit and collaborative approach, Carly often supports team members across departments and is recognized as a dependable and thoughtful leader. She is also a skilled and engaging presenter who has developed a loyal following among educators from the 20 public schools served by the IU. A strong believer in data-informed instruction, Carly is an Acadience Reading and Math mentor, helping educators interpret and act on assessment data. Her leadership potential has been acknowledged through her selection to the 2024 Emerging Leaders Program and the 2025 Aspiring Leaders Program. Beyond the IU, she actively serves on the Lackawanna County Literacy Committee. Her work includes screening incarcerated individuals for dyslexia and providing remediation, collaborating with local universities to embed structured literacy into teacher preparation programs, advocating for early literacy support through pediatricians and reach Out and Read, and working with policymakers to address regional literacy gaps. Outside of her professional accomplishments, Carly is most proud of her role as a wife of 18 years and mother to three wonderful children. Her work is rooted in family, community, and the belief that literacy is a right for all.

Hello IU Family! Open Enrollment forms have been sent out! If you have not already done so, please complete and return the forms to HR by June 20th! This is also a great time to think about any information you may need to update with our Business Office such as address changes or a need to adjust your W-4. As we enter the month of June, we will mark the end of another successful school year! We look forward to many things this month: remembering and continuing a call to equality by fostering a community where everyone is valued, respected and empowered to thrive; paying tribute to the dads and father figures in our lives; and simply spending time outdoors enjoying the sun! Wishing everyone a great summer!! Peace, Love, IU 19..

Dr. Colleen Penzone, along with Early Intervention staff Amanda Jacobino and Laura Fierro, participated in the University of Scranton's Go Baby Go Event. This initiative brought together students from the Occupational Therapy and Mechanical Engineering programs to design and build adapted toy cars for local children with disabilities. These cars featured modifications such as buttons in place of pedals and added back supports, helping to promote mobility and independence. Early Intervention staff hosted an informational table offering community resources, details about eligibility for services, and engaged with families and community members to highlight the importance of early identification and support.

A few students in the Early Intervention classroom located in the Joines Building in New Milford, are shown below enjoying the outdoor play area generously provided by Mr. Joines. The dedicated staff at this location includes; teacher Lisa Geyer, speech and language pathologist Leeann Adams, occupational therapist Lindsey Gentilezza, and paraprofessionals Jenna Tasso and Genine Langman.

NEIU 19 recently hosted the annual Scholastic Awards Program at Carbondale Area Jr./Sr. High School. The evening recognized student achievement across multiple programs, including NEIU Scholars of the Year, Visual and Performing Artists from NEIU and The Armature, and champions from the NEIU High School Reading Tournament, Academic Challenge, and WVIA Scholastic Scrimmage. The program began with a light reception, followed by a formal awards presentation. Each portion of the evening was carefully planned to highlight the accomplishments of students from across our region. We thank the Carbondale Area School District for serving as this year's host. Their staff from administration and facilities to food service, student volunteers, and performers helped ensure the event ran smoothly and offered a welcoming experience for all in attendance. Their efforts supported a successful program that reflects the collaborative spirit of our regional school community.

Kristen Strong, Melissa Orman, and Jessica Capwell attended PA Literacy Coalition Capitol Day in Harrisburg. The PA Literacy Coalition (PLC) is a diverse, cross-sector network committed to ending Pennsylvania's literacy crisis. PLC members advocate for comprehensive, evidence-based literacy policies so that every student receives high-quality instruction, and every educator has the tools and training they need. They had the opportunity to meet with Representative Kyle Mullins and Representative Bridget Kosierowski to advocate for Senate Bill 700 and House Bill 864. These bipartisan bills, if passed, will establish a statewide grant program to support school districts, fund high-quality, evidence-based reading curricula, provide comprehensive teacher training, and implement universal early literacy screeners.

NEIU held its annual Sports Challenge hosted by the North Pocono School District on May 8, 2025. Mr. Keith Toolan, adapted physical education teacher, puts on a great event each year. Thank you to Mr. Toolan for providing this inclusive event where student helpers from North Pocono and our SOAR/STRIVE programs facilitate activities for students with special needs from across our catchment area! Please enjoy some of the photos taken on this special day!

NEIU 19 staff members recently attended the PAIU Annual Conference that was held at Kalahari Resort, Pocono Manor. The PAIU Conference is the signature gathering of Pennsylvania's 29 intermediate units. Each year the commonwealth join together for professional development, sharing, networking, and fellowship. The team of Kelly Dickey, Director of Special Education; Jessica Iacovazzi, Mental Health Treatment Specialist; Vanessa Nee, Supervisor of Special Education; and Anne Kennell, Assistant Supervisor of Special Education presented a session titled, "Opening and Sustaining Partial Hospitalization Programs". The Conference spotlights how intermediate units in Pennsylvania are dedicated to providing the support and resources needed to help every child reach their full potential.

Dr. Kathleen Sottile recently attended Governor Shapiro's visit to Isaac Tripp Elementary School in the Scranton School District.

Pictured are: Dr. Carrie Rowe (Secretary of PA Department of Education), Dr. Kathleen Sottile, and Governor Shapiro.

May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, a crucial period for spotlighting mental health issues and combating associated stigmas. Recognizing that mental health is as vital as physical well-being is paramount. Preferred EAP is easy to access, offers professional assistance, is free of charge and strictly confidential. It can be accessed at 610.433.8550/800.327.8878.

Speech and Hearing Awareness is observed in May every year. It's a month dedicated to raising awareness for communication disorders, helping patients overcome any type of hearing and speech impairment, as well as celebrating the contributions of professionals in the speech-language-hearing industry. From speech-language pathologists, audiologists, hearing scientists, and other support personnel, we pay them respect for the help they have given, which includes assisting their patients and students and providing life-altering treatments.

Memorial day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Memorial Day 2025 will occur on Monday, May 26. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season.