The 2020/2021 school year is approaching and schools are preparing for multiple scenarios – one of which is distance learning. Pine Tree Society was able to jump in and support schools and their students with special needs during the spring shutdown. There’s no doubt about it, we learned a lot. Everyone did. We wanted to share our Top 10 distance learning takeaways through a series of blog posts over the next few days. Please know, we are here to support your school, your teachers and your students whatever comes this fall – distance learning, a hybrid model or in-person instruction.
“Our expertise and infrastructure sets us apart and allows us to respond quickly,” said Terry Berkowitz, Chief Operations Officer of Pine Tree Society. “For example, after the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly put an end to in-person classrooms and services for Maine people with disabilities, within one week’s time, we started supporting students and clients through distance learning.”
Through strategic use of technology, Pine Tree Society is working to meet the needs of students statewide; bringing much needed services to rural parts of the state where access would otherwise be limited, including:
- A team of Speech/Language Pathologists partnering with education teams to meet the needs of students with multiple disabilities;
- Expertise in Assistive Technology and Augmentative Communication to ensure access to curriculum;
- Certified Teachers of the Deaf available to support teams in designing and implementing programs for students who are Deaf;
- A specialized and supportive Early Learning Center for students ages three to six who need early intervention services; and
- Maine’s only ACA accredited camp program for individuals with special needs which began offering remote programming in March to keep people with disabilities connected, engaged and active during the time of physical distancing.
Pine Tree Society is invested in the success of distance learning for people with disabilities and is committed to making a positive impact in students’ lives.
To find out how Pine Tree Society can support your school, your student or your family, please contact Terry Berkowitz, Chief Operating Officer at 207-443-3341 or tberkowitz@pinetreesociety.org.
Top 10 Distance Learning Tips
Introduction: Distance Learning — Pine Tree Society’s Expertise
Tips 1 – 3: Distance Learning — Linda Bonnar, Director of Communication Pathways
Tips 4 – 6: Distance Learning — Maura Nolin, Director of Interpreting Services
Tips 7 – 9: Distance Learning — Karen McClure-Richard, Director of Early Learning Center
Tip 10: Distance Learning — Dawn Willard-Robinson, Director of Pine Tree Camp